Clinet 2008

vinous90

Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata

Full ruby-red. Aromas of black cherry, balsamic vinegar and minerals. Offers a rich mouthfeel, with pure, fresh balsamic plum and black cherry flavors nicely framed by strong acidity. Finishes with impressive persistence, although some biting tannins currently detract from the wine's overall charm.

vinous93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2008 Clinet has a deep garnet colour. This has plenty of fruit on the nose with ample blackberry, cranberry and fresh mint; very well defined and quite opulent in the context of the growing season. The palate is fresh on the entry with fine tannin, layers of blackberry and bilberry fruit laced with crushed stone; fresh and lively with a hint of peppermint towards the finish and graphite (courtesy of the Cabernet) on the aftertaste. This is drinking very well now although it has another 15 years of drinking enjoyment to give. (Tasted at the château and at BI Wine & Spirits’ annual vertical tasting.)

vinous91

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Good deep ruby-red. Exotic Pomerol scents of dark chocolate and violet complemented by sexy oak tones. Lush and large-scaled; a bit youthfully undifferentiated today, but the flavors of cherry-cola, cassis and licorice are compellingly creamy and sweet. Finishes with serious, broad, supple tannins and very good length.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Another resounding success for the vintage, the opaque purple-colored 2008 Clinet (14.4% alcohol) is composed of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Yields of 38 hectoliters per hectare, while higher than in 2010, were still modest. Another powerful, big, large-scaled effort, the 2008 exhibits an inky/purple color as well as sweet creme de cassis, blackberry, plum, Asian spice, licorice and incense notes. Layered and full-bodied with stunning purity and a 40+ second finish, this beauty needs 3-5 years of bottle age and should keep for 25-30 years.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s Clinet vertical. This has a very pure vanillary nose with blueberry, cassis and a hint of sage. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins, good acidity, very pure and harmonious. Feminine and lithe with a sense of mineralite coming through towards the tense cedar-tinged finish. Very focused, very fine breeding. Tasted February 2011.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. Ronan Laborde has overseen a fantastic Clinet in 2008. It has an attractive floral bouquet with cassis, iodine, vanilla and crushed violets with fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a gritty entry, chalky tannins but very good fruit concentration and superb delineation on the finish. Not a flashy Pomerol and with less ostentation than Clinets from the 1990s. It is a modern Pomerol, one that is supremely well crafted. Tasted January 2012.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

This is the first bottle of Clinet ’98 to show a little reduction, although it improves with aeration and offers some lovely cassis and iodine scents that waft enticingly from the glass. The palate is very concentrated, more so than the VCC, though it does not possess quite the same poise and focus on the finish. This is a controlled Clinet, one with its harness and blinkers on, and it shows great potential however. Tasted June 2013.

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

This is the greatest Clinet since the incredible duo made by the late Jean-Michel Arcaute in 1989 and 1990. The dense purple-colored 2008 offers up beautiful floral, blackberry, and pen ink-like notes, exceptional intensity, that multilayered texture that seems to be commonplace in the top 2008 Pomerols, silky but elevated tannins, good freshness, precision, and nuance, a substantial size, and an extremely long finish with not a hard edge to be found. It should evolve for 30+ years.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the UGC 2008 tasting in London. This has a very dense, concentrated bouquet with mulberry, blueberry and a touch of sage. Very fine definition, very focused but tightly coiled. The palate has a dry, masculine entry with a touch of tobacco leaf. It has a firm but gentle grip, much more classic in style than the nose suggests. Good weight on the refined finish with dusty black fruits mixed with bay leaf, dry tobacco and a touch of cedar, sporting great length and lots of character. Bravo Ronan! Drink 2013-2025. Tasted October 2010.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

En primeur barrel sample. Ah - now I like this nose - not as oaked or showing as much sur-maturite as previous vintages. Good definition, quite floral, blueberry, a touch of violets, quite feminine. The palate has fine tannins, very good balanced and poise, very pure and focused. Vibrant dark cherries, blueberries and briary - elegant finish. This is the best Clinet for some years and yet a second bottle displayed some prune/sur-maturite aromas that I have found detracting in the past. Tasted April 2009.

james_suckling90

Reviewed by: James Suckling

Smoky and fruity, with dark fruits and spices. Full body, chewy tannins, with an excellent core of fruit underneath it all. This needs time to mellow. Give it at least three or four years.