Château Clinet

Country: Pomerol Bordeaux -France

Region: Pomerol Bordeaux

Château Clinet is located at the highest point of the Pomerol Plateau on the famous Günz gravel terrace, origin of the appellation’s most prestigious crus.

Château Clinet’s reputation as a fine wine producer was already established by the 19th century. The property belonged to the Constant Family before passing into the hands of the Arnaud Family, who were at the same time owners of Chateau Petrus. From 1900 to 1991, Clinet belonged to the Audy family, a large Bordeaux negociant. The arrival of managing director Jean-Michel Arcaute in the early 1980s marked a real turning point in the wines of Clinet. He introduced revolutionary changes to the status quo: green harvest, leaf thinning, delaying harvest until physiological ripeness had been reached and reducing the percentage of the Cabernets in favour of the more suitable Merlot, among other important modifications. Jean-Michel Arcaute remained on as managing director after Château was purchased by the GAN insurance company in 1991. Respected American wine critic Robert Parker twice named Arcaute Winemaker of the Year, and bestowed the rare and coveted 100 point score to Clinet’s exceptional 1989 vintage.

In 1998, Château Clinet was bought by Jean-Louis Laborde. He devoted all his energy and vision to pursuing the evolution inspired by the preceding owners. His son Ronan took over as general manager in 2004 and the first vintage he oversaw was the 2005. Ronan intiated the building of a new winery and chai (with state of the art grape reception and selection equipment) replanting of the vineyard in parts, and in 2011 he acquired two small adjacent Pomerol properties (3ha total) to bring Clinet up to its present size of 11.5 hectares. Ronan evolved the vineyard practice to become environmentally friendly, plowing the soil and planting grass between the rows. In the cellar, he called for more gentle extraction and less new, agressive oak. Ronan Laborde and his winemaker Roman are the youngest team in the Union des Grands Crus.

Château Clinet Collection

Château Clinet 2010 Price € 190.00

Château Clinet 2010

Château Clinet, owned by the Laborde family, produces consistently excellent wines. Its vineyards stand at the highest point of the Pomerol plateau, in the heart of the appellation’s most prestigious crus. The average age of the vines is 51 years, precise and organic farming methods are applied. The vinification and ageing cellars are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Last vintages were highly praised by critics, including 100 points PARKER in 2009.

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. 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.

Grape varieties: 90% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon & 1% Cabernet Franc

Ageing: 16 months, 55% new barrels, 45% second fill barrels

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Château Clinet 2012 Price € 100.00

Château Clinet 2012

Although hardly comparable to what Clinet achieved in both 2009 and 2010, the 2012 Clinet is another star of the vintage. A powerful, full-bodied, muscular Pomerol, it reveals a dense purple color in addition to lots of opulence, a layered, full-bodied richness (somewhat atypical for the vintage), beautiful density and plenty of mocha, black cherry, truffle and graphite notes. It is a surprisingly full yet accessible Clinet that will be drinkable long before the 2009 and 2010 hit their plateaus of maturity. Drink the 2012 over the next 15 years.

Grape varieties: 90% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon & 1% Cabernet Franc

Ageing: 16 months, 55% new barrels, 45% second fill barrels

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Fleur de Clinet 2016 Price € 50.00

Fleur de Clinet

This is the second wine of Château Clinet, one of the prestigious producers of Pomerol. Pomerol is a small, but distinctive appellation where Merlot dominates. This is the second wine because of the use of grapes from young vines in what is considered one of the best parcels of Pomerol.

Sensory Features: Fleur de Clinet is dark ruby in colour. The nose displays all the subtleties of the great Pomerol wines, mingling aromas of fresh raspberry,blackberry, black pepper, Earl Grey tea and lavender. The silky mouthfeel and lush flavours of red fruit prolong its expression on the palate. Its intensity lingers with hints of spice, liquorice and brown sugar. Its powerful aromas make it the ideal wine, to be enjoyed over the next 15 years.

Grape Varieties: 95% Merlot & 5% Cabernet Franc

Ageing: 12 months in second fill barrels

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Bordeaux Rouge - Ronan by Clinet Price € 13.90

Ronan by Clinet - Bordeaux Rouge

The team behind the wine at Pomerol’s celebrated Château Clinet has produced this extraordinarily good value wine. Made from 100% Merlot this wine has a primary fruit nose with blackberry, bramble and subtle spice but with enough structure to be a perfect match with roast lamb.

Sensory features: This wine presents a brilliant ruby appearance. Its nose is aromatic with hints of cherry, raspberry and blackcurrant, enlivened with sweet pepper. The fruity freshness of the bouquet is equally complemented by floral hints (blueberry flowers). Its attack, delicately wrapped, reveals a sweet fruity evolution. On the palate, flavours of raspberry, fresh cherry and redcurrant develop, complemented with fine spices. Its finish is persistent and flavoursome.

Best served: Good with red meat.

Grape variety: 100% Merlot

Technical notes: Originating from the terroirs of Côtes de Castillon, Bourg and Bordeaux vineyards.

Ageing: 12 barrel ageing

Alcohol content: 13%

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Bordeaux Blanc - Ronan by Clinet Price € 13.40

Ronan by Clinet - Bordeaux Blanc

The team at Chateau Clinet have turned their winemaking skills to making a small quantity of white wine for the first time. The result is a great success – a full bodied Sauvignon - Sémillon blend, very much in the style of a good white Graves.

Sensory features: An appetising pale gold coloured wine, with a platinum glow. Mouth-watering scents of candy, boiled sweets are lifted by blossom, lime and mature white-fleshed fruits. In the mouth, the first impression comes from the fleshy, creamy texture. Then the white and zingy citrus fruits step in, seasoned by cardamone and saffron threads.

Best served: Perfect with fish, shellfish & white meats

Grape varieties: 80% Sauvignon & 20% Sémillon

Technical notes: The vineyard is situated at the highest point of the Gironde region, between Sauternes and Saint-Emilion. The location provides a fabulous view. The clay-and-limestone terroir, the orientation of the vines and the altitude (145m) combine to produce remarkable white wines. Sustainable viticulture methods are employed.

Stainless steel vats are used for the vinification and ageing with skin-contact maceration and low-temperature alcoholic fermentation (between 16 et 18°).

Alcohol content: 13.5%