Clinet 2010

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Clinet 2010 has a tempting truffle-scented bouquet with fine delineation - crushed violets developing beautifully in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp red berry fruit on the entry, fine angular tannins with a tart but focused, tense finish. This is a fabulous Clinet from Ronan Laborde and his team, although I suspect that the 2009 Clinet may eventually turn out to be the superior wine. Tasted January 2014.

robert_parker98

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

A spectacular success in this vintage, this blend of 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc achieved 15% natural alcohol. Sadly, there are only 3,400 cases primarily because of the small Merlot crop (yields were only 29 hectoliters per hectare). The wine’s opaque purple color is followed by an extraordinary bouquet of boysenberries, blueberries, black currants, licorice, truffles and a hint of asphalt. The wine possesses great intensity, a multidimensional mouthfeel, stunning glycerin and richness, and wonderful freshness as well as precision because of the vintage conditions. This massive Pomerol will age effortlessly for 30-35 years. Equaling what Clinet achieved in 1989 and 1990, it is the third successive great vintage for this estate.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted somewhere (but I cannot remember exactly where) the Clinet 2010 has a precocious nose that soon settles in the glass: very pure dark cherry and blueberry fruit with touches of black olive and vanilla, building in intensity but remaining composed. The palate is full-bodied with ripe “clingy” tannins that do not want to let go and yet the texture of smooth and seductive. Don’t be fooled by the first half. Those tannins kick in towards the second with a surprising dry, taut, tar-tinged finish. This is a complex Clinet that will really show its true colours after bottling. Well done Ronan! Tasted March 2011.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. The Clinet 2010 is blessed with a compelling bouquet with ripe, succulent small dark cherries, blueberry and cassis that show outstanding control and delineation. There is a femininity here that I have not discerned on recent vintages. The palate is voluminous and complex with exuberant black fruit, cassis, black pepper and spice, the finish showing immense control and persistency. Outstanding – the kind of Pomerol fit for the finest Essex restaurant! Tasted November 2012.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The blend is largely dominated by 85% Merlot, with some Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Cabernet Franc also included. Inky/purple-colored, the wine has an exceptionally full-bodied, layered, moderately tannic mouthfeel and impressive power. Loads of melted chocolate/fudge and black fruits galore along with some coffee bean, mocha, as well as some background oak are all present in this big, formidably endowed, masculine style of Pomerol that will take longer to shed its tannin than the 2009. I would give this wine 5-6 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 30+ years. The 2010 is another fabulous effort from this estate of just over 20 acres located in the sector named the same as the chateau, Clinet. Modest yields of 38 hectoliters per hectare produced a final blend that hit 14.4% natural alcohol.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Clinet rolls sensuously out of the glass with notes of Black Forest cake, blueberry compote and plum preserves plus hints of cigar box, cardamom and cloves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate reveals pleasant poise with loads of savory sparks on the finish.

vinous91

Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata

Deep ruby-purple A strong element of superripeness dominates the aromas of plum, prune, coffee, and cocoa on the nose. Rich, plush and dense in the mouth, but with a sappy quality to leaven the wine's liqueur-like ripeness of plum, cocoa and underbrush flavors. Though I don't find the vibrancy or lift of the best wines of the appellation, I have to admit that this Clinet maintains very good balance for such a ripe, concentrated wine. The long finish features youthfully chewy tannins. Those who like their clarets big, rich and ripe will score this higher than I did.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2010 Clinet has a crisp, precise bouquet that is tightly wound but extremely well focused. It would benefit from decanting of preferably more bottle age. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, impressive backbone with black fruit laced with white pepper, sage and cedar towards the persistent finish. This is a serious Pomerol with huge potential. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.

vinous93

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Good deep ruby-red. Brooding, superripe aromas of blackberry, plum and coffee. Seriously concentrated and dense, but with juicy acidity giving energy and definition to the thick flavors of dark plum, flowers and potpourri spices. This very suave, plush wine finishes with substantial but noble tannins that dust the front teeth. This big boy has the stuffing and structure for a slow and graceful evolution in bottle.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2010 Clinet has a crisp, precise bouquet that is tightly wound but extremely well focused. It would benefit from decanting of preferably more bottle age. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, impressive backbone with black fruit laced with white pepper, sage and cedar towards the persistent finish. This is a serious Pomerol with huge potential. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.

james_suckling95

Reviewed by: James Suckling

Nothing on the palate and then all of a sudden it blasts off on the finish. Superb Clinet. Full and velvety. Juicy.

james_suckling97

Reviewed by: James Suckling

Gorgeous nose with lots of dark fruit like plum and blueberries. Crushed pepper and chalk with wild strawberries and vanilla. Dense and velvety on the palate with superbly polished tannins and great depth. It's absolutely gorgeous now but needs at least five to six years of bottle age to really shows its great quality.