In the vineyard
Château Clinet is unusual in Pomerol for having such a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. In the 2019 vintage it was the highest it has been since the eighties, amounting to 20% of the final blend.
Recent replanting has removed Merlot vines and replanted with more Cabernet Sauvignon suggesting a further increase in future vintages.
The vineyard covers 11.3 hectares (with 9 in production) and has three different areas divided into 17 plots, mainly around the church, around the chateau itself and on a large plateau before you reach Feytit-Clinet.
The best terroir of the estate is the “Le Grande Vigne” vineyard situated close to the Pomerol church and contains the oldest vines of the estate planted in 1934. The soil here is made up of deep clay and gravel subsoil. Although Merlot is dominant, Cabernet Sauvignon represents 25% of the vineyard area and more is being planted. Historically, Cabernet Sauvignon has always played an important role at Clinet, and was the main varietal up until the 1950s.
After Ronan took over the property, he instigated a substantial replanting program, replanting 20% of the vineyards at a higher density while increasing the yields to 40hl/ha.
In the winery
The distinct terroir at Château Client naturally brings a high proportion of tannins to the wine, so the grapes extraction and maceration is an essential part of the process in providing balance. The estate is keen to retain the layering effect on the palate from high levels of tannins without losing the softness of the fruit. Therefore, very gentle extraction methods are carried out.
In 2014 there was a complete renovation of the vat room allowing for intra-plot fermentation to be carried out in 17 separate stainless-steel tanks. In 2014 they reduced the amount of new oak used in the élevage to 60% new oak barrels.
The 2009 vintage marked a huge step up in terms of quality at the property and the winery has continued its progress ever since, producing some of the finest wines from the estate in the modern era in the last decade.
