Clinet 2020

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: William Kelley

The 2020 Clinet offers up aromas of minty cherries, blackberries and cassis mingled with hints of licorice, loamy soil and rose petals. Full-bodied, broad and rich, with a layered mid-palate underpinned by powdery tannins that assert themselves on the youthfully firm finish, it's impressively balanced for a wine at 15% alcohol, but it remains a rather burly, powerful Clinet.

robert_parker98

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The 2020 Clinet (a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon) has an opaque purple-black color, needing a little coaxing to unleash bold, powerful notes of plum preserves, blueberry compote and black raspberries, followed by suggestions of cracked black pepper, menthol, cedar chest and rose oil with a hint of licorice. The big, rich, full-bodied palate is a powerhouse, bursting with impactful black and blue fruit preserves flavors, supported by ripe, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and fantastically perfumed.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2020 Clinet is hugely impressive, as it was from barrel. Dark and imposing, with notable vibrancy, the 2020 offers up an exotic mélange of black cherry, gravel, incense, plum, game and licorice. I would give this a few years in bottle, as the tannins are pretty imposing. Cabernet Sauvignon is so distinctive here.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2020 Clinet is a gorgeous, vivid Pomerol. Today, the Clinet feels a bit closed in on itself, but has terrific energy and plenty of drive. Dark cherry jam, mocha, rose petal, new leather and tobacco start to open with a bit of time in the glass. Readers will have to be patient here. There is plenty to look forward to.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2020 Clinet has held on to that precious bouquet with heady scents of black plum, cassis and fresh fig, more blue fruit percolating through with time. Remarkably, it retains fine delineation and disguises that payload of 15% alcohol. The palate is intense on the entry, quite structured, and granular in texture, with a healthy dose of cracked black pepper and a grippy but pure finish. The 20% Cabernet Sauvignon is crucial in keeping this Clinet on an even keel, with traces of graphite towards the fresh finish. It will benefit from several years in bottle but stands as a very fine Pomerol, but unequivocally no shy wallflower.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2020 Clinet was picked September 14–17 for the Merlot and September 24 for the Cabernet Sauvignon, at 38hl/ha, and matured in 80% new oak. Its 15.0° alcohol is the highest ever. The bravura nose delivers copious black cherries, blueberry and violet aromas that explode from the glass. This is a Pomerol that really wants to make an impression. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannins, hints of chocolate chip infusing the mixture of black and blueberry fruit. Lavish and satiny in texture toward the long finish. This is a bold and extravagant Clinet that I hope will just find a little refinement and more terroir expression during its élevage. If it does, it should land at the top of my banded score.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2020 Clinet has quite a lot of new oak to be subsumed on the nose, and at the moment, it is disguising the DNA of this château. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and pointed acidity, slightly bitter but with a pleasing salinity on the finish. I am intrigued to see how this ages, but it is not showing its best right now (another bottle tasted in April 2024 performed much better). Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

james_suckling96

Reviewed by: James Suckling

This is extremely polished with ultra fine tannins that are so exquisite, giving this a seamless and weightless mouth feel. Medium-bodied, extremely long and harmonious.

james_suckling98

Reviewed by: James Suckling

What a beautiful young wine, showing so much finesse and tension, with ultra-fine tannins and subtle and long flavors and character. It’s medium-bodied with extremely silky tannins that grow on the palate to a seamless finish. Harmonious. Another fine Pomerol for the cellar. Drink after 2027.