"One of the quintessentially elegant, complex, and most distinctive wines of Bordeaux, Pape-Clement has been in top form since the 1986 vintage." RP

1986 $129.99 very limited
"The 1986 is a remarkable wine, which is amazing given the fact that this vineyard was inundated during the severe rainstorms prior to the harvest. No doubt a very strict selection resulted in only the later-picked grapes going into the 1986. It has a stylish black currant and mineral scented bouquet backed up nicely by spicy new oak. The wine is deep ruby/purple in color, medium bodied, with excellent ripeness and richness. It is not a blockbuster, but it does have a beautifully crafted, graceful texture, and a long, stylish finish. It is undoubtedly the finest wine produced at this beautiful estate in Pessac between 1961 and 1988. Anticipated maturity: Now-2008. Last tasted, 2/91." 91 Robert Parker, Bordeaux
"Big, broad, lush, supple and tannic, this is a rich, complex, dramatic wine with layers of cedar, plum, and currant flavors that are sharply focused, elegant and subtle. Delicious to drink now if you can look past the soft tannins. It's a solid candidate." 92 The Wine Spectator 6/30/89

1989 $139.99 very limited
"Elegant and well made. Color is medium-dark ruby. Aromas of dried cherries and licorice. Full-bodied and well structured, with compacted velvety tannins and a long aftertaste of chocolate and fruit and hints of earth.--1989 Bordeaux horizontal. Best after 2004." 90 The Wine Spectator 5/31/99

1990 $129.99 very limited
"The 1990 is a textbook example of how elegant yet authoritatively flavored Pape-Clement can be. The deep ruby-colored 1990 possesses an enthralling nose of tobacco, roasted nuts, and sweet black fruits. There is excellent concentration, as well as a sense of expansiveness, finesse, and complexity. It should prove to be the finest wine made at Pape-Clement in more than two decades. Anticipated maturity: 1996-2008." 93 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #85
"Very dark ruby color. Raspberry, floral and mineral jump out of the glass on the nose. Full-bodied, with firm tannins, serious fruit and a medium finish. Muscular Pape. Drinkable now.--1990 Bordeaux retrospective." 91 The Wine Spectator 1/31/00

1995 $79.99 very limited
"A softer, more accessible version of the more tannic 1996, Pape-Clement's 1995 exhibits a deep ruby/purple color, and a lovely nose of spice, lead pencil, minerals, smoke, and tobacco-tinged black currants. Rich and ripe, with medium body, sweet fruit on the attack, and an overall sense of elegance and impeccable equilibrium, this beautifully knit, complex wine is already enjoyable. Anticipated maturity: Now-2015." 90 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #115
"Brilliant violet, berry and black-truffle aromas. Full-bodied and very chewy, with loads of berry, tobacco and earthlike flavors. Medium finish. Only in fourth-gear now, wait for fifth and sixth. Best after 2002." 92 The Wine Spectator 1/31/98

1996 $59.99 very limited
"This is an elegant, complex, distinctive wine that depends on its aromatic complexity and harmonious display of fruit and structure for appeal. It will not knock over tasters with a display of power or muscle. The color is a healthy dark ruby. The wine offers up roasted herb, tobacco, sweet cranberry and black currant fruit aromas. It is medium-bodied, with a rich, layered, silky impression, excellent purity, and soft tannin in the finish. Surprisingly forward, it appears to be on a rapid evolutionary track, although it will keep for 15 or more years. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2016." 90 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #122
"Full ruby-red. Superripe aromas of roasted plum, black raspberry, woodsmoke and humus. Dense and rather unevolved, but with sound acidity giving it excellent vinosity. Full, quite dry and serious; the substantial dusty tannins coat the entire palate. 91 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 5/6-99

1997 $54.99 limited
"An attractive, complex wine, the 1997 Pape-Clement exhibits a dark, saturated ruby color in addition to a gorgeous, smoky, herb, red currant, and cherry liqueur-scented bouquet, a silky texture, spicy oak, and a round, complex, low acid, fleshy finish. As the wine sat in the glass, notes of hot bricks/scorched earth also emerged. This is a complex, supple, delicious wine to drink over the next 10-12 years." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #128
"Good deep red-ruby. Spicy, expressive aromas of blackberry, cassis, leather and tobacco; quite Burgundian. Sweet and supple, with good thickness and depth of flavor for the vintage. Ripe, long aftertaste. A much more gentle style than the '98. This is turning out very well indeed." 89-90 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 5/6-99