(98+ points) Black raspberries, cassis, graphite, scorched earth, and violet notes are just some of the nuances in the 2022 Château Pape Clément, a gorgeously textured, layered, seamless 2022. It's flawlessly balanced, has a class of tannins that's second to none, is full-bodied, has terrific concentration, and has a gorgeous finish. This classic, seamless, elegant, sensational layered, multi-dimensional Pessac will have 40 years of prime drinking.

A very well-balanced Pape Clement showing a solid structure, concentration and length. Fresh and complex, with a fine streak of minerals and aromas of cassis, berries, white pepper and tapenade. Some wood spices, but they’re quite restrained. Full-bodied, tight and long. A transparent and complete wine for the cellar. Try after 2028. - Zekun Shuai

Absolutely stunning, this majestic charmer hit everything right this year. Concentrated, lush, plush, and full-bodied, there is also a sense of lift, and vibrancy. Opaque in color, the wine initially grabs your attention with its showy display of flowers, cinnamon, chocolate, blackberries, and black cherries in the perfume. But, it is the palate that steals the show with its intensity, length, and energy. The wine blends 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2030-2060

The 2022 Pape Clément is a classy, elegant wine. Soaring aromatics open first. On the palate, the 2022 is vibrant and explosive, with terrific depth and exceptional balance. Today's wines here are simply striking because of their energy and verve. Those qualities help make Pape Clément one of the most changed wines in Bordeaux over the last decade or so. Red/purplish fruit, blood orange, cinnamon, new leather and sage are some of the many notes that linger on the sustained finish. The 2022 is a superb Pape Clément. Tasted three times. -- Antonio Galloni

This blend of the 2022 Pape-Clément is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon (although I did see wildly different figures presented at one tasting, so who knows? – I settled on the most reliable source). I like the aromatics here, which combine desiccated and delicately high-toned berry fruits with striking scents of violets, crushed chalk, blackberry and matchstick, and while they have certain appeal I cannot help but feel they seem a little advanced. Nevertheless, this translates onto a rather classy and nicely polished palate, with a rich core of dried cherry, currant and cranberry fruits, the restrained maturity of the Merlots coming through here, allowing the Cabernet to shine, with a polished texture, supported by a rich core of chocolate-laced tannins and smoky, smouldering oak. It finishes long and structured, with plenty of lingering tannic grip. This is classically Pape-Clément in style, and it will need ten or fifteen years to come good, but it promises much. Tasted three times. The alcohol on the label is 14%. - Chris Kissack

Cool blue fruit, salty stones and liquorice - smells fresh and scented. Ripe and concentrated, the chewy tannins are at the fore, straight away giving the depth and frame while the blueberries and cherries linger in the background with a slight chalky sensation on the tongue. Feels a little less lively than some, more so because the frame is quite imposing, but I do like the muscular style as there's so much definition. Precision and poise but not so immediately accessible. The ending is a bit restricted and it doesn't flow as well as others yet there's no faulting the construction in terms of focus and classicism.

Medium to full intensity ruby in colour, gentle smoke on the nose, along with liquorice and cocoa bean on the opening beats, good length here, perhaps a little tight still at this point but plenty of ageing potential, and an enjoyably fragrant wave of rose petals and orange peel on the finish. Heavy bottle. 35hl/h yield, native yeast fermentation, aged in a variety of differently sized casks and barrels, 75ha estate

(WA 92-94 points) Revealing aromas of blueberries, cassis, spring flowers and toasty new oak, the 2022 Pape Clément is full-bodied, broad and textural, with a rich, layered core of super-ripe fruit framed by liberally extracted tannins that assert themselves on the firm, lavishly oaky finish. This is a flamboyant, unabashedly modern-styled Pape Clément that will need several years in the cellar to blossom. It's a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. - Yohan Castaing

Well packed with dark currant, raspberry, plum and red cherry compote notes, all carried by gently singed applewood and cedar notes. Sweet tobacco and a flash of incense fill in on the finish, which has woodsy hints but stays polished and fine-grained overall. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2028 through 2040. — J.M.