Dating from 1252, Château Pape Clément is both a working Grand Cru Classé Château and a luxurious haven for discerning guests. Situated in Graves, just 15 minutes limousine drive from Bordeaux airport, the neo-gothic castle is fringed by a verdant botanical garden of bamboo, palms, broad, 1,000 year-old olive tree, handsome Lebanese cedar, and 32 healthy hectares of 70 year-old vines. The grounds are also home to a majestic glasshouse designed by Gustav Eiffel, and families of black and white peacocks.
The reassuring fragrance of wood polish subtly emanates the paneled walls within, which give life to art, both modern and classic, curated by owners, the Magrez family, while a tall harp with coloured strings, and an ivory-keyed harpsichord rise from parquet in the dining salon. In the drawing room, an authenticated letter from Napoleon written while in exile on St. Helena shows pristine cursive. And, fittingly given the first harvest here was implemented by Bertrand de Goth, who became Pope in 1305 under the name of Clement V (from whom the Château inherited its name) an armoire contains papal memorabilia in the form of shiny crosses and chalices.
Reached via a grand staircase with comfortable incline, illuminated by kaleidescope-like stained glass window, are five sumptuous suites and bedrooms with modern comforts and old world style, including Baccarat chandeliers and antique, rippled glass windows.
Château Pape Clément is, along with La Tour Carnet, Fombrauge, Clos Haut Perraguey and Labottière, one of Bernard Magrez’s finest châteaux. These may be discovered by the Bernard Magrez Luxury Wine Experience, which can be as ‘audacious’, he promises, as a guest wishes, including transfers in chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce Phantom or Bentley, with picnics in the château gardens, private cellar tour and tasting, cruise aboard a wooden Hacker Craft (through the Port of the Moon and the Gironde estuary), helicopter ride over the pristine vineyard holdings, and dinner in the restaurant Joel Robuchon facing the Cultural Institute which houses more of the family’s art.
