Château Pape Clément
Bertrand de Goth, appointed archbishop of Bordeaux in 1299, receives on this occasion the vineyards of La Mothe, property located in Pessac. He manages applying the field and enlarged. Appointed in 1305 by the conclave to succeed Benedict XI, he became pope under the name of Clement V. He must then separate from the domain that belongs to the Archdiocese of Bordeaux and took the name "Pope Clement". The domain will be well managed with continuity and quality for almost five centuries, its limited production being reserved mainly for the use of the archdiocese. The field, put in the public domain by the Revolution, with owners succeed. Jean-Baptiste Clerc, who acquired it in 1858 enlarged to 37 ha, and astute management, strengthens the quality of wines which then comes right behind that of Haut-Brion. At the end of the XIX, the Pope Clement wines sell at prices Grands Crus Médoc 2nd.
Like many, due to vine diseases, wars and economic crises, which are added in 1937 a devastating hail storm, the area then declines for nearly a fifty years. He is saved from complete extinction by the winemaker Paul Montagne who acquired it in 1939 and gradually allows him to find his place with the assistance of the great oenologist Emile Peynaud. Evidenced in particular classification in red as Grand Cru Classé de Graves in 1959. Theo Mountain succeeds his father and now co-owns with Bernard Magrez, son of Paul Mountain, who took control in 1983. The castle was restored with the assistance of the oenologist Michel Rolland, considerable efforts are being made since to improve the quality of wines. The operational management is now performed by Patrick HATEAU.
Located in Pessac, a few kilometers from Bordeaux, the vineyard of 32.5 hectares covers a mix of gravelly-sandy soils and clay-limestone soil on limestone subsoil rich in iron. The planting red (30ha) consists of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Merlot (40%), white (2.5 ha) of white Sauvignon and Sémillon (45% each) supplemented with Muscadelle (10%) . The average age of the vines is 40 years in red and white 18. The planting density is high, ranging from 7700-9000 feet / ha and contributing, with grassing clay parts, a favorable competition to quality ripening. Regular pruning work, stripping and thinning to the sound and measured growth clusters. The defense of the vines follows the principles of sustainable agriculture.
The estate produces two colors in a second wine "Le Clémentin of Pope Clement" and a third red wine "the Prelate of Pope Clement."
