The story of Pape-Clement dates back to the 13th century, when Bertrand de Goth, then Archbishop of Bordeaux, received the land as a gift. Elected Pope in 1306, he took the name Clement V and renamed the property ""Pape-Clement"" before leave to the clergy of Bordeaux, which kept the production for own consumption.

After the revolution, the estate experienced a long succession of owners, which seems to lead to slow decay, then a painful episode of hail in 1937, which almost definitively put an end to its history. Fortunately, the land is purchased in 1939 by agronomist Paul Mountagne, who marks the renaissance of the chateau by replanting the vineyards and refurbishing the cellar before handing over to his son Leo. Since 1953, good vintages flourished again successfully, but once again, in 1975, a deficit of investment affected the quality for a decade.

When Bernard Magrez, an iconic figure of Bordeaux acquired a part of it in 1985, the wine reached back the steady quality it could display in the past. This return to the circle of the great wines of Bordeaux was conducted of the famous winemaker consultant Michel Rolland. He opened separate winemaking according to parcels or grape varieties to enhance the complexity and sophistication to the wines.