Chateau Pape-Clement Blanc AOC Pessac-Leognan Grand Cru Classe de Graves 2015

Chateau Pape Clement is named after its most famous owner. Bertrand de Goth was born in 1264. At the age of 31, he became a bishop in the Pyrenees and later, in 1299, the archbishop of Bordeaux. At that time, he received the estate in Pessac as a gift. He had a great passion for viticulture and personally participated in the equipment, organization, and management of the area according to the most modern and rational methods. However, on June 5, 1305, Bertrand was elected Pope and took the name Clement V. Supported by Philip IV, in 1309 the Papal court moved to the city of Avignon. During this period, burdened by his duties, the Pope was forced to leave his estate and hand it over to the archbishop of Bordeaux. Henceforth, the vineyard would be known to posterity by the name of the Pope. Each of the archbishops continued the Pope's work and improved the vineyard in every way. At the end of the 18th century, after the revolution, the archbishop of Bordeaux was deprived of his estate, and the vineyard became part of public property. Several owners changed hands, struggling with various epidemics in the vineyard, until in 1858 it was purchased by Bordeaux wine merchant Jean-Baptiste Clerc. Managing the estate excellently, he revived the glory of Chateau Pape Clement wines, the quality of which was confirmed by the Gold Medal of the Gironde Agricultural Society and the Grand Medal of the Ministry of Agriculture at the International Exhibition of 1878. Jean-Baptiste Clerc also built the castle, which was later reconstructed by the next owner, Mr. Cinto. June 8, 1937, became a black day in the history of the vineyard when a heavy rain almost completely destroyed it. Two years later, the estate was purchased by Paul Montagne and gradually revived it. Thanks to his efforts, the vineyard returned to its former level and survived the surge of urbanization. His descendant Léo Montagne and Bernard Magrez continue the centuries-old traditions so that Chateau Pape Clement wines delight wine lovers today and in the future. The estate's vineyards span an area of 32.5 hectares with a great diversity of terroirs. 30 hectares are occupied by red grape varieties - Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and only 2.5 hectares are dedicated to Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle. The harvest is carefully and gently collected, after which the berries undergo strict sorting. The aging of Chateau wines is carried out only in French barriques. Images of keys - a symbol of Papal authority - adorn the labels of the four wines from Chateau Pape Clement.