Château Feytit-Clinet 2017

Structured and extracted, with some cocoa bean and liquorice emphasis. You can see where owner Jérémy Chasseuil is going with this, as it displays cassis and extremely tight ground coffee bean flavours. Overall there is not a lot of light being let in, yet it just doesn't seem ripe enough to support the ambition.

Aromas of plums and spice with a light chili note. Full-bodied with rich, chewy tannins. The wood is a bit predominant now, but this will show nicely with age as it all comes together. Better after 2023.

The 2017 Feytit-Clinet is a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, matured in 65% new French oak for 16 months. It has an opulent bouquet that is exceedingly pure, with blueberry and blackberry. The oak is nicely integrated, becoming increasingly floral over time. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, black fruit infused with dark chocolate, and a generous finish that is actually quite showy for this excellent Pomerol cru. Very fine, although in my opinion proprietor Jeremy Chasseuil has made better vintages in recent years.

Youthful and fresh, at the moment the wine is holding its cards close to its vest. With coaxing, you find chocolate mint, flowers, and cherries on the nose. Medium-bodied, the wine is soft and creamy on the palate. The finish is quite chalky, with a strong, refreshing mint note on the back end. Drink from 2023-2032.

Very dark garnet with purple reflections. Open, candy-like bouquet, cassis blossoms and black currants, with violets and a certain spiciness in the background. Medium body with a textured extract. On the finish, plum skin and pleasant warmth. One of the best values in the mid-range.

Kunz barrel sample 18: Velvety, sweet bouquet, black cherries, blackberries, roasted notes, chocolate. Finely opulent palate with powerful, sweet fruit, creamy structure, good tannins, intense aromatics, long, lavish finish.

Silky texture, sweet bouquet, black cherries, blackberries, roasted notes, chocolate. Finely opulent palate with powerful, sweet fruit, creamy structure, good tannins, intense aromatics, long, sumptuous finish. 17/20 2024 - 2038

The wine gains in silkiness and complexity; this is an already expressive Pomerol that can rival its neighbors on the plateau. The return of violet ushers in a floral finish of great charm.

Purple with violet highlights. A superb bouquet marked by notes of black berries and chocolate, along with a pleasant herbal freshness featuring hints of mint and violets. On the palate, it’s the charm of Pomerol that sets the tone, with finely grained tannins. I’m genuinely impressed by the aromatic and flavor intensity of this wine. It’s delicious and has excellent cellaring potential—if you can resist it. That’s far from guaranteed, but in any case, pleasure is assured.

Dark, intense, and beautiful color. Moderately aromatic nose with pure, ripe fruit. A creamy touch. Finely supple throughout, very well constructed, the palate evolves with constant savor, carried by fine tannins. Long and very good.

85–87. Barrel Sample. This wine is firmly structured with rich blackberry fruit notes. A flavor of bitter chocolate gives the wine a burnt toast edge that needs to soften if the wine is to come together.

A blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 Feytit Clinet sports a deep garnet-purple color. The nose boasts bold Black Forest cake, blackberry compote and plum preserves notes with nuances of chocolate box, violets and fallen leaves. The full-bodied palate has a gorgeous texture of plush, fine-grained tannins and plenty of zing lifting the decadent black fruit flavors, finishing long and savory. It is quite delicious now, but I'd give it another year or two in bottle to really impress.