Château Clinet 2009

Clinet has been on a hot streak lately, and the 2009 appears to be the greatest wine ever made at the estate, surpassing even the late Jean-Michel Arcaute’s monumental 1989. A blend of 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, this big Pomerol boasts an opaque, moonless-night inky/blue/purple color along with a gorgeous perfume of blueberry pie, incense, truffles, black raspberries, licorice, and wood smoke. Viscous and multi-dimensional with silky, sweet tannins, massive fruit concentration, and full-bodied power, there are nearly 4,000 cases of this thick, juicy, perfect Clinet. It should drink well in 3–5 years and keep for 25–30.

Very lush and exotic, boasting plum sauce, crushed fig, warm raspberry confiture and steeped black currant fruit all dripping over a racy but buried graphite spine. The long, dark finish has plenty of stuffing for the long haul. Really beautifully rendered. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2015 through 2034. 3,750 cases made.

A big-shouldered, powerful and classic Pomerol. Inky black in colour even at 11 years old, this is concentrated yet juicy and built for pleasure, filled with dense black cherries, fleshy raspberries, liquorice and shaved chocolate. On soils that are largely clay and gravel, with sandier sections, making it an excellent reflection of the appellation, and more than showcasing its ability to deliver superbly brushed tannins that gently pillow the Merlot-dominant fruit.

Aromas of dark fruits, hazelnut and dark chocolate follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins that are polished and refined. Beautiful depth of fruit to this. Best in 2018.

The 2009 Clinet has an impressive and complex bouquet with liquorice and truffle infused black fruit, hints of desiccated orange peel and even a dab of honey. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, succulent, and fine tannins (although not as fine as the 2009 La Conseillante) with a dense, precocious and heady finish. There is hedonism here, but it is on a tight leash. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.

Still young, this is evolving at a glacial pace, yet there is no denying the greatness in this bottle. Deep in color, the wine pops with notes of licorice, black plum liqueur, dark cherries, chocolate, espresso, truffle, and rose petals on the nose. With incredible levels of density, the wine coats your palate with liquified plums, black cherry liqueur, dark chocolate and roast espresso that coats your palate and sticks with you for over 60 seconds. Be patient here as the wine demands at least 5 and may 7-8 more years in the cellar.

Extremely dark purple with lilac and violet highlights. Spicy bouquet, licorice, black peppercorns, dark fine woods and black tea. Concentrated palate, fleshy tannins, with pronounced astringency, vanilla bean and cassis on the finish. Packed with power and enormous potential, reminiscent of Clinet’s legendary vintages from the 1950s.

Extremely dark purple with lilac and violet highlights. Spicy bouquet, licorice, black peppercorns, dark fine woods, and black tea. Showing lots of concentration on the palate, fleshy tannins, marked astringency, vanilla seeds, and cassis. Not particularly fine at first glance, so you look for power and potential, and there is plenty of it, reminiscent of the truly great legendary Clinet vintages of the 1950s. (19/20). 12: Tasted at Clinet. A real Pomerol bomb, yet it also shows charm within its power. (19/20). 18: At a lunch at Clinet. One of the richest yet most concentrated Pomerols of this vintage.

Silky, dense, sweet, opulent, creamy bouquet, cherry compote, dried fruits, caramel. Dense, plush, fruity palate with sweet fruit, fine tannins, diverse sweet aromatics, long, concentrated finish. 19/20 2022 - 2045

This is a big, muscular 2009 with great quality, hard to argue with, packed with deliciously textured, plump black cherry fruit, sculpted, powerful, intense, with notes of dark chocolate, charcoal, crème caramel and fennel spice. A one-point upgrade from last year’s tasting, as it stands out among its peers. 60% new oak. Ronan Laborde, owner.

Little by little, Clinet is returning to its best. At this stage, the toasty aromas are a bit dominant, but everything should integrate and settle down before bottling. Spotted in the cellar: a barrel made from an oak planted by Colbert… which is sure to hold a few surprises! To be continued.

Supple and velvety, with good body, very spicy, seductive.

Clinet lives up to its role as an inviting, seductive wine, with its well-developed nuances. The chocolate notes combined with morello cherries and black berries are irresistible. On the palate, the wine is dense, suave, charming, and caressing.

Logo on the cork: AL Dark, intense color with slight development. Medium-intensity nose, certainly fruity but also a bit green. Soft on the attack, flavorful mid-palate, aromatic and sappy; the wine glides on the finish, pleasant, but with a tenderness that is a bit too pronounced.

A smooth, superripe wine, full of the sweetest fruit, big and rich. It is opulent, a powerhouse of dense Merlot fruits, rounded out with soft tannins.