Clinet 2005

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The opaque ruby/purple 2005 Clinet offers incredibly fragrant aromatics, an opaque ruby/purple color, and a wonderfully sweet nose of flowers, blackberries, licorice, truffle and caramel. Full-bodied, powerful and rich, it is not as nuanced or complex as the top four or five Pomerols, but close. This is a broad, meaty, masculine, super-rich and concentrated wine, with lavish plum, blackcurrants and blackberries. Drink it five years from now, and over the following 30 or more years.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

By far the finest Clinet since the late Jean-Michel Arcaute made the spectacular duo of 1989 and 1990, the 2005 exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as scents of raspberry ice cream intermixed with plums, figs, black currants, coffee, and chocolate. It is a ripe, full-bodied, super-rich, intense Pomerol with loads of tannin and an exotic fruit character. Drink this long, pure stunner between 2015-2030+.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s Clinet vertical. The ‘05 has a ripe bouquet with dark cherries, cassis, violets and a touch of vanilla pod. Good definition. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, just a touch of spice on the entry, just a touch of earthiness emboldening the structure towards the finish that mellow nicely with time. The 2005 has very good focus that should serve it well in the future. Tasted February 2011.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted both at the UGC and at the chateau, this note the latter. A very supple, almost meaty nose with less oak than expected. A very toasty, spicy palate with moderate acidity. As usual, I would like to see a little more finesse and elegance, but the Clinet 2005 is better balanced than usual, with an attractive spicy finish. Tasted April 2006.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The most profound Clinet since the prodigies produced by the late Jean-Michel Arcaute in 1989 and 1990, the 2005 boasts a fabulous nose of blueberries, violets, truffles, subtle wood, and cold steel. Inky/purple-hued, full-bodied, and multilayered with adequate acidity, this exceptionally well-endowed, pure effort is a tour de force in winemaking. Although it is high in tannin, there is so much fruit and glycerin (the alcohol must be 14+%) that it should be drinkable in 4-6 years, and keep for three decades.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the Pomerol tasting at the Antique Wine Company. The Clinet ’05 has a ripe nose, but one that is surprisingly sultry at first before revealing cassis, red plum and mulberry scents – the oak more assimilated than on previous bottles. The palate is full-bodied with a dense, quite tannic structured. Perhaps this is in an awkward stage at the moment. It feels a little lactic at the front of the mouth and the touch of mocha on the finish seems a little out of place. I do not hold this in the same regard as recent vintages such as the 2009 or 2010, but it is an impressive of not outwardly pleasurable Pomerol. Tasted December 2012.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

We haven’t seen a Clinet this good since the late Jean-Michel Arcaute’s stunning duo of 1989 and 1990. This dense ruby/purple-tinged, exotic 2005 boasts soaring aromas of roasted herbs, plums, black currants, and caramelized chocolate. Savory, broad, and expansive with sensational purity, intensity, and length, this beauty possesses so much fruit and glycerin that it nearly hides the substantial tannins. Although performing exceptionally well at present, I suspect it will close down once it is put in a cold cellar. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2030.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

I have never been totally convinced by the Château Clinet 2005. For sure it has an inviting floral bouquet with an intriguing marine influence – dark berry fruit, hints of black olive and brown spices. It opens gradually in the glass but never lets go completely. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, succulent tannin, well judged acidity but the finish just needs a little more focus and precision. That may come in time. It’s just a little drier at the end than I would have wanted. I would opt for more recent vintages from Ronan Laborde, such as the 2009, 2010 or 2011.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted single blind at Southwold. This seems rather simplistic on the nose: dark cherries, violets, a touch of gravel all with moderate definition. There is a touch of dryness on linearity on the palate. Foursquare, conservative, perhaps closed down after bottling. Rather brusque on the finish, but there is good depth here and with aeration it coalesces nicely and comes out of its shell, developing a spicy finish. Drink 2012-2020+ Tasted January 2009.

vinous92

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Good full ruby. Sexy aromas of black raspberry liqueur, violet, chocolate, mocha and smoky oak. Dense, fat and large-scaled, with a layered texture and compelling sweetness of dark berry fruit. Very smooth if currently a bit youthfully monolithic. Finishes with substantial mouthcoating tannins that arrive late, allowing the chewy chocolate and mocha flavors to expand and linger. This will age on its alcohol and tannins, not its rather low acidity. Elevage should bring greater detail.