2023, Château Clinet, POMEROL

Last Year EP $144.00-

This small 9 hectare property is situated at the edge of the plateau of Pomerol behind Clos L'Eglise. It shot to fame following a 100 point Parker rating in 1989 and then repeated this feat 20 years later. The wines here are serious, dense and powerful. The 2023 is 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Deep rich plum in colour, great balance and careful extraction, you are held by steady hands here. Cloves, cocoa bean, liqourice, freshly cut dried herbs, thyme and fresh sage, slow-build and slow progress with slate-textured tannins. A great quality Clinet, well judged appellation typicity, and floral kick on the finish. 95 Jane Anson.

Rich and layered, the 2023 Clinet wafts from the glass with aromas of dark berries, spices and liquorice, framed by creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and complete, with a rich chassis of powdery tannin underpinning its sweet core of fruit, it concludes with a broad, vanillin-inflected finish. As is routinely the case at this address, it's a successfully rendered Pomerol in a more modern style. 94-95 William Kelley, Wine Advocate.

This is full-bodied yet tight and poised, with a pretty, pure centre-palate of ripe fruit and fine, integrated tannins. Classy presence. May be better than 2022. 95-96 James Suckling.

The 2023 Clinet is powerful and racy right out of the gate. Crushed flowers, spice, mocha and a kiss of French oak meld into a core of dark red- and black-toned fruit. This modern, stylish Pomerol is so expressive. Hints of graphite, lavender, crushed rocks and pencil shavings linger on the substantial finish.  2030-2048. 94-96 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.