Clinet 2009

robert_parker100

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Clinet has been on a hot streak lately and the 2009 appears to be the greatest wine ever made at the estate, surpassing even the late Jean-Michel Arcaute’s monumental 1989. A blend of 85% Merlot and tiny amounts of Cabernet Franc (12%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (3%), this big Pomerol boasts an opaque, moonless night inky/blue/purple color in addition to a gorgeous perfume of blueberry pie, incense, truffles, black raspberries, licorice and wood smoke. Viscous and multi-dimensional with silky, sweet tannin, massive fruit concentration and full-bodied power, there are nearly 4,000 cases of this thick, juicy, perfect Clinet. It should drink well in 3-5 years and keep for 25-30.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at Chateau Clinet. The harvest commenced on 11th September with the young Merlot with the older vines being picked on 25th September and then 1st-4th September. The Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon was picked on 7th October. The Cabernet Sauvignon is very important in 2009 lending the wine freshness and part of the originality of Clinet. The final blend is 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc cropped at 45hl/ha (the highest of the decade) the Clinet ’09 has a rounded, supple, fruit-driven nose with cassis, black plum and small black cherries. The palate is full-bodied with a lot of fruit concentration supported by some sturdy, grainy tannins, good delineation with a savoury/smoky touch towards the finish. The oak is better integrated than in recent years and there is a lovely spicy touch on the aftertaste from the Cabernets. Clinet is returning to the heights of the late-1980s. Tasted April 2010.

robert_parker100

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The greatest Clinet since the incredible duo produced by the late Jean-Michel Arcaute in 1989 and 1990, the 2009 (tasted on 4 separate occasions) was off the charts in terms of quality and potential. Yields of 47 hectoliters per hectare were not particularly low, and the fruit used in the final blend (87% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon; 14% natural alcohol) was all harvested between September 21 and October 7. The wine boasts an opaque black/purple color in addition to a gorgeous bouquet of truffles, charcoal, asphalt, blackberries, blueberries, and meaty, smoky notes. This dense, unctuously-textured Pomerol is built like a skyscraper with multiple layers, sweet tannins, and enormous concentration as well as length. The good news is there will be 4,000 cases of this modern day legend in the making. It should drink well for 30-35 years. While it’s hard to eclipse a 100-point wine (1989), the 2009 appears to be the finest Clinet has ever made. (Tasted four times.)

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. The fabulous Clinet 2009 has a wonderful, expressive bouquet with lush but not overpowering redcurrant and crushed strawberry fruit with underlying mineralite that should develop with age. The palate is medium-bodied with silky smooth tannins, a sorbet-like freshness and so much panache on the finish, it does not know what to do with itself. Outstanding wine from Ronan and his team. Tasted October 2011.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The Clinet ’09 is a massive wine but on this occasion it is curiously reticent at first and demands coaxing. Perhaps this is on the cusp of closing down. The palate is full-bodied and dense, loaded with glycerin but still beautifully balanced with firm backbone and massive grip on the finish. This is a child prodigy that is about to enter what might well be a turbulent adolescence, but is certain to inspire awe just as the 1989 and 1990 Clinet can do at present. Tasted June 2013.

robert_parker99

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Wow – pronounced aromas of cassis, blackberry, tree bark, cloves, iron ore and a touch of smoky bacon. Full bodied with medium to high acidity and layers of rich fruit supported by an abundance of very finely grained tannins. Very long finish.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. Amazing how this sensual Pomerol has manifested more structure in recent months. The Clinet ‘09 has a powerful, more modern, liquorice-tinged bouquet and it displays more glycerine that its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with good grip. This is very pure, very intense and obdurately backward. More impressive than pleasurable at the moment, this definitely is a vin de garde that needs a decade to reach its drinking plateau. Tasted January 2013.

vinous92

Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata

Dark ruby-red. The nose begins a bit aromatically compressed, even warm, but opens with air to reveal lovely aromas of ripe red cherry, sweet spices and truffle. Then rich and ripe in the mouth, with slightly chunky flavors of red and black fruits and a hint of tarry tobacco. Finishes creamy and long, but nonetheless left me wishing for a bit more complexity and finesse. Those who prefer their wines big and ripe may score this much higher than I have.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2009 Clinet has an impressive and complex bouquet with liquorice and truffle infused black fruit, hints of desiccated orange peel and even a dab of honey. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, succulent, and fine tannins (although not as fine as the 2009 La Conseillante) with a dense, precocious and heady finish. There is hedonism here, but it is on a tight leash. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.

vinous93

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Deep medium ruby. Blackberry, blueberry and licorice on the nose, lifted by a violet topnote. At once hefty and penetrating, with lovely depth and breadth to the black fruit flavors. A bit youthfully medicinal today and not yet particularly complex but shows the sweetness of the vintage in spades. Finishes with substantial ripe tannins and excellent length.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Clinet is showing quite a lot of evolution on the nose with notes of new leather, fried spices and dried herbs over a core of dried mulberries and prunes with a touch of redcurrant jelly. Full-bodied and decadently fruited with loads of mature, savory layers, it has a chewy texture and finishes on a dried herbs note.

james_suckling96

Reviewed by: James Suckling

Aromas of dark fruits, hazelnut and dark chocolate, follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins that are polished and refined. Beautiful depth of fruit to this. Best in 2018.