Andrew Jefford | Deep, dark black-red; warm, ripe blackcurrant and elderberry, with some raisin and semolina sweetness; a hint of chocolate truffle, too. The luxurious end of Pessac. But very enticing withal. On the palate, this stays deluxe: soft, deep, comforting, gentle, rich, and ripe, with elderberry, raisin, and chocolate the principal flavor keys. A very worldly Pape. | 91

Michael Schuster | The nose a touch super-ripe “raisiny” the figue (figgy-ripe grapes) picking choice of the year; full, rich, powerful for the appellation and finely tannic; very ripe-fruited but, delicious as that is, I feel that some of the terroir’s subtlety and gravel fragrance has been lost in the choice to pick at this sugar level; this is a ripe, fulsome wine, a touch alcohol-warmth and hardness-tinged, with both complexity and good length. But also touched with some of the year’s excess. Super-ripe, and vintage-style rather than terroir-restraint dominated. So juicy, you could enjoy it now with food, but it clearly has more to offer. 2024–35+. | 92