2017 Château Clinet
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Tasting notes
Rose petals and raspberry leaf on the nose, this is delicate and charming, smoky edges, soft appealing raspberry and red cherry, plenty of caressing fine tannins. Real charm, and so deft in its construction, great winemaking here. This has deepened over the past few years in bottle, although remains an early drinking Clinet to enjoy within the next 10 to 15 years. 72% new oak, 35hl/h yield, Ronan Laborde owner.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Spicy, meaty nose – quite seductive and flashy with floral violet tones. This follows on the palate, which is plump, round and spicy. Against this make-up there is a leafy, minty edge. The acids are very fresh, making for a tight and austere structure. It may well warrant a higher score with time. (TP)
The 2017 Clinet has not come together as well as I had hoped. Today, it is wild, exotic and rough around the edges, with angular contours, all of which convey an impression of rusticity. Iron, game, smoke, blood and red plum fruit add some nuance, but there is just not much finesse here.
About the producer
With Ronan Laborde at the helm, this property has become one of Pomerol’s most sought-after. He has increased the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, which historically represented half the vineyard area here.