2019 Pape-Clement Blanc (Pessac-Leognan)

Finely balanced between richly textured and restrained savoury white pear and citrus fruits. Walks the line between the two, far more successful to my taste than it did perhaps a decade ago, when this was a bigger style of white. You can clearly tell that this has impact and confidence, but it is beautifully complex and well-put together. Fermented in barrel, large sized oak casks and (15%) in cement egg-shaped vats. Harvest August 30 to September 12. Consultant Michel Rolland. Tasted twice two weeks apart. 94 points

A blend of 46% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Semillon and 14% Sauvignon Gris, the 2019 Blanc was harvested from the 30th of August to the 13th of September. It was vinified in various types of vessels. Sixty percent was fermented in French oak barrels of varying capacities ranging from 225 to 500 liters, 22% of which were new. Seven percent was fermented in concrete eggs. Seventeen percent was fermented in large, French oak foudres, with 44% new. And 16% was fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The nose of this nascent beauty was locked up tight for the first few minutes, eventually unfurling to offer subtle scents of fresh pineapple, green guava, kumquat and lemon zest with an emerging core of honey-drizzled white peach, chopped almonds and oyster shells plus a waft of baker`s yeast. Medium-bodied, the palate is beautifully nuanced and poised, delivering fantastic intensity with a racy backbone and gorgeous satiny texture, finishing with epic length. Stunning. 95-97 points

The 2019 Pape Clement Blanc has an attractive bouquet with scents of caramelised pear, peach skin and light waxy aromas. As usual, the oak is a little more prominent here compared to its peers. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, subtle guava and lychee notes on the entry, perhaps even a little Muscat towards the finish. I would have just liked more complexity and mineralité to be expressed on the aftertaste . 91-93 points