In article
>,
cwdjrxyz > wrote:

> On Jan 15, 9:13*am, "Bill S." > wrote:
> > Notes from a vertical tasting dinner of Ch. Pape Clement
> >
> > Pape Clement I the oldest continuously cultivated property in
> > Bordeaux, being able to claim wine production since around 1300. It
> > got a new start in 1937 when the hails destroyed the vines and it
> > produced workmanlike wines until a renaissance in the 1980s, not
> > entirely due to the influence of Michel Rolland, who only came on
> > board *in the ate 1990s. *The wines tend to be approximately 50%
> > merlot and 50% cabernet sauvignon. *They also make a white in very
> > small amounts (5.5 acres under white vs. 66 acres under reds) that is
> > very hard to find and expensive when you do ($200 plus)
>
> I have had the 1970 red. It was decent, but nothing special. I have a
> single bottle of the 1961.
>
> I still have one bottle of the 1977 blanc, but it could well be past
> the drink-by date now. Despite the bad reputation of 1977 for reds,
> the 1977 blanc was at least more than drinkable. It had a lot of acid
> and needed some time to smooth out enough. I do not recall the price
> about 1980 when I bought it, but it was likely around $US 10 then.
> Inflation alone does not explain the current extreme price you quote.
> Wine making has improved, more people have heard about it now, critics
> likely have reported that they like it, and the very small production
> likely all contribute to the very high price.

My feeling is that Pape Clement is overpriced and has been for some
time. I had the 1976, 1978, 1982 and was not impressed so I didn't buy
any more of it.