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Tasting Notes
Tasted at Chateau Clinet. The harvest commenced on 11th September with the young Merlot with the older vines being picked on 25th September and then 1st-4th September. The Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon was picked on 7th October. The Cabernet Sauvignon is very important in 2009 lending the wine freshness and part of the originality of Clinet. The final blend is 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc cropped at 45hl/ha (the highest of the decade) the Clinet ’09 has a rounded, supple, fruit-driven nose with cassis, black plum and small black cherries. The palate is full-bodied with a lot of fruit concentration supported by some sturdy, grainy tannins, good delineation with a savoury/smoky touch towards the finish. The oak is better integrated than in recent years and there is a lovely spicy touch on the aftertaste from the Cabernets. Clinet is returning to the heights of the late-1980s. Tasted April 2010.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Clinet has been on a hot streak lately and the 2009 appears to be the greatest wine ever made at the estate, surpassing even the late Jean-Michel Arcaute’s monumental 1989. A blend of 85% Merlot and tiny amounts of Cabernet Franc (12%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (3%), this big Pomerol boasts an opaque, moonless night inky/blue/purple color in addition to a gorgeous perfume of blueberry pie, incense, truffles, black raspberries, licorice and wood smoke. Viscous and multi-dimensional with silky, sweet tannin, massive fruit concentration and full-bodied power, there are nearly 4,000 cases of this thick, juicy, perfect Clinet. It should drink well in 3-5 years and keep for 25-30. Feb 2012, www.robertparker.com
Blackberry and mineral aromas, with flowers. Full-bodied, but reserved and supersilky and pretty. This is the bomb. Forget the 1989
Aromas of dark fruits, hazelnut and dark chocolate, follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins that are polished and refined. Beautiful depth of fruit to this. Best in 2018. James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
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About the producer
With Ronan Laborde at the helm, this property has become one of Pomerol’s most sought-after. He has increased the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, which historically represented half the vineyard area here.