1998 Chateau Pape Clement 750ml

95 points Wine Spectator
An amazing nose of sweet tobacco, orange peel, cigar box and exotic fruit. Lots of tar too. Full-bodied, with exotic and spicy flavors that are slightly decadent and funky, but wild and wonderful, from leather to dried fruits. Just a baby, too. Give this more age. (JS) (6/2009)

94 points Wine & Spirits
*no tasting note given* (4/2002)

93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A prodigious effort from Pape Clement, this wine is smokin'! It boasts a dense ruby/purple color in addition to a terrific nose of charcoal, blackberries, cassis, tobacco, minerals, and spice. This brilliantly-focused, medium to full-bodied 1998 already reveals a boatload of complexity as well as a remarkably long finish. A large-sized effort for this estate, it exhibits a sweet mid-palate and ripe tannin. Bravo! (RP) (4/2001)

91 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Good red-ruby. Highly aromatic nose combines plum, tobacco, tar, leather and game. Dense, rich and stuffed with flavor; shows a compelling subtle sweetness and a meaty component from the superripe merlot. But here, too, there no shortage of verve. Finishes with excellent length and sweet, ripe tannins. Very satisfying Graves. (ST) (6/2001)