Clinet 1998

vinous88

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 1998 Clinet, which was bottled by Ronan’s father just after acquiring the property, has a deep garnet core with a tawny rim. Now at 20-years old it has a well-defined bouquet with brambly red fruit, briary and pressed flowers, perhaps without the presence of fruit that I was expecting. The palate is medium-bodied with a sappy black fruit opening, quite assertive on the entry with a sweet core of fruit. It just cuts away a little quickly compared to more recent vintages. Tasted at the château.

vinous91

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Full ruby-red. Explosive aromas of currant liqueur and smoky oak; distinctly port-like yet vibrant. Lush, rich, smooth and highly concentrated; berry and dark chocolate flavors fill the mouth. Finishes very ripe, with thoroughly fine tannins and excellent length.

vinous92

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Bright deep ruby. Slightly high-toned, superripe aromas of kirsch, black raspberry and chocolate; has a distinctly porty aspect. Sweet, dense and layered; flavors of blackberry and chocolate are at once mouthfilling and nicely delineated. Really huge material here. Finishes with substantial sweet tannins and very persistent dark berry, mocha and chocolate flavors. Clinet is always a difficult wine to taste early, as barrel samples oxidize quickly due to the very low levels of sulfur used during vinification and elevage, but this is an impressive sample.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Clinet is a challenging wine to evaluate at such a young age, as it often seems disjointed, tannic, and marked by lavish quantities of new oak. After its sojourn in cask and a year or so in bottle, it begins to strut its potential. The 1998 Clinet is a broodingly backward, oaky, full-bodied wine that was completely closed when I tasted it. It reveals admirable richness, a concentrated, full-bodied personality, high tannin, and intense extract. The color is opaque ruby/purple, and the nose offers scents of earth, truffles, oyster shells, pain grille, and jammy black fruits. In the mouth, the tannin dominates, but the wine's finish exhibits sweet glycerin and intensity. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2022.

robert_parker87

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s Clinet vertical. This has a ripe, forward bouquet with plum, a touch of blackcurrant wine gums, becoming more herbaceous with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a sinewy entry, dark fruits such as blackberry and pomegranate, Provencal herbs, a touch of bacon fat and orange rind with firm tannins. The new oak is still very prominent and does not seem to have enmeshed within the fabric of the wine over the last two years. Tasted February 2011.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Young Clinet has become increasingly challenging to evaluate because it is generally more backward and less evolved than its peers. Made in a reductive style, it requires air and oxygen to begin to reveal delineation as well as its multiple dimensions. The 1998 has emerged, now offering a saturated black/blue color as well as an expansive, thick, blueberry/blackberry, licorice, chocolate, coffee, and spicy-scented bouquet. Structured, with high tannin in the finish as well as super-extraction, full body, and considerable intensity and length, it will not offer seductive drinking young, but it should last for three decades. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2026.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

I was not sure about this wine in its youth when it tasted a little blowsy and too forward, but it is beginning to settle down and sort itself out. Deep purple/garnet hue. The nose has scents of damp earth and soy mixed in with toasty black fruits. Still quite noticeable new oak. The palate is full-bodied, powerful, with notes of black cherries, raisins and dates. Just lacking a little length. Tasted April 2006.

robert_parker90

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

I had high hopes for this wine prior to bottling, but Clinet often goes through a reduced, awkward stage following bottling. The 1998 reveals a dense, thick-looking purple color, as well as a closed bouquet. With coaxing, notes of damp earth, spicy new oak, truffles, blackberry and plum fruit emerge. Dense, with jagged tannin, considerable power, and a roasted, chocolatey character, this wine has not yet meshed together. I had hoped it would be less disjointed, but I still feel there is a strong likelihood that it will deserve an outstanding score. However, patience will be required. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2020.