Clinet 2000

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s 2000 tasting in London. This is developing some secondary characteristics on the nose, touches of leather and mushroom interwoven through those black fruits, lending it a quasi Rhone-like character. Good definition though. The palate is full-bodied, weighty tannins, very backwards at first and only reluctantly opening up. Rounded and smooth texture, yet it is missing some personality at present. Sweet and plum-like towards the finish. This is a Clinet that exceeded my expectations. Drink 2011-2030. Tasted March 2010.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Tasted four times from bottle (two were corked), this wine is somewhat monolithic, but there is a lot going on, hence the high score. Its youthful disjointedness is certainly a thing of the past, as the wine now exhibits a saturated ruby/purple color and a pure nose of Asian spices intermixed with smoky black currant, raspberry, and blueberry notes with some wood in the background. The wine is full-bodied, pure, sweet, and dense, with a multi-layered texture. There is plenty of tannin in the finish, but it is largely concealed by impressive quantities of extract and fruit. Certainly this is the finest Clinet made under the relatively new administration of Jean-Louis Laborde. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2020+.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s Clinet vertical. A first bottle tasted blind was found to be out of condition, a second (tasted non-blind) has a ripe, floral bouquet with luscious dark cherry, black plum and black olive aromas with prominent new oak. The palate is full-bodied with dense, sinewy tannins, notes of spice, mulberry, cassis and vanilla with just a hint of mushroom towards the finish. My main criticism is that it is not a joyful Pomerol – it lacks just a little joie-de-vivre and for want of a better word...passion. Tasted February 2011.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Revealing more symmetry and less disjointedness than it did last year, the medium to full-bodied 2000 exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as a smoky perfume filled with new oak, Asian spice, plum, fig, black currant, and barbecue scents. There is terrific fruit purity along with outstanding depth, ripeness, and moderately high tannin in the finish. Although the tannin is less astringent than last year, it remains firm and noticeable, a characteristic many 2000 Pomerols exhibit. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2020+

robert_parker90

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Coarse and lacking harmony at en primeur. Then at the MW tasting in November 2004. An overt prune and raisin nose more like an over-ripened Napa than Bordeaux. The palate is rich and decadent with moderate acidity and pronounced new oak. Lush blackberry and cassis. Very New World in style. Again, it would be charm those that seek a New World-style wine but Clinet could make a much better wine if the reined in that new oak. Drink from 2010.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Beautiful aromas of plums, soy, black currants, black raspberries, espresso, and spring flowers jump from the glass of this perfumed, dense plum/ruby/purple-tinged Pomerol. Medium to full-bodied and pure with sweet tannin and impressive extract, it will benefit from 2-3 more years of bottle age, and should last for an additional two decades.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 2000 Clinet possesses a saturated ruby/purple color, a masculine, muscular, medium to full-bodied style, hard tannin, sweet, concentrated fruit, good purity, and a disjointed, jagged personality. It will require patience. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2020.