Clinet 2013

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

A blend of 90% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc (the highest percentage of Merlot ever) the Clinet 2013 was picked between 30 September until 12 October, finishing with the two Cabernets. Ronan Laborde told me that it was the most compact harvest he had undertaken: 4½ days within 13 days, the fruit selected through an optical sorting machine. The level of new oak is 60%, up from 2012, because Jean-Michel thought the fruit was good enough, with an IPT of 85 compared to 75. The nose takes some time to unfurl, broody and reticent at first, revealing redcurrant and cranberry scents mixed with dried flowers with time. The palate is well balanced with quite linear tannins, the oak nicely integrated and lending this Clinet good depth. It is a more masculine Clinet without the length of a great Chateau Clinet, but clean and pure. It will need 5 or 6 years to unwind after bottling. Tasted April 2014.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

A terrific success and star in this vintage, this blend of 90% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc came from a mere 25 acres of vineyard and averaged 33 hectoliters per hectare, with close to 13% natural alcohol. The entire harvest took place September 30-October 12. The wine is impressive in this vintage, its beautiful, dense, blue/black color is followed by a striking nose of creme de cassis, blackberry fruit, charcoal and a hint of camphor. The wine is rich and medium to full-bodied, displaying surprising texture, depth and breadth. This is a rich wine with good acidity and ripe tannin. It is a relatively big boy for the vintage and should drink well in 2-3 years and last up to 15 or more. It is so good, it is clearly a sleeper of the vintage, even though Clinet has been doing fabulous work for a number of years.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2013 Clinet was one of the better wines that I tasted from barrel. Indeed both Robert Parker and I scored this Pomerol around the same mark and now it is in bottle, it has fulfilled my expectations as a delicious, easy-going, but still well-crafted wine from Ronan Laborde. It has a delicate but precise bouquet that gains intensity in the glass, cassis and a touch of wild mint, ground pepper emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannin that need another 12-18 months to soften, however there is adequate fruit underneath with a linear, slightly sappy finish. Enjoy this over the next 10-12 years.

vinous88

Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata

Dark ruby. Initially very leafy, almost medicinal nose became fruitier with air. Then pungently aromatic on the palate, with strong notes of underbrush and pine cone dominating the delicate small dark berry flavors. With its rather extreme tannins, this seems over-extracted to me and I wonder if it will ever come into balance. But it does have above-average density and texture for the vintage, so I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt and see what develops over the next two years.

vinous93

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2013 Clinet has a dense nose with light black fruit and incense, missing some delineation and not as complex as recent vintages, as you might expect. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins and fine acidity. Not a complex Clinet, yet it's balanced with no greenness, sporting decent weight with a peppery finish. What you might call a serviceable Clinet. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year On tasting.

james_suckling90

Reviewed by: James Suckling

A 2013 with attractive mineral, salt and iron character, plus a creamy acidity. Medium body solid core of fruit and a fresh finish. Very good concentration for the vintage.

james_suckling91

Reviewed by: James Suckling

Aromas of black berry, blue berry, and wet earth. Full body, firm and silky tannins. A little hollow in the mid-palate but give it time to come together. Better in 2018.