CHÂTEAU CLINET

The Château Clinet 2014 is a blend of 90% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc picked from 23 to 30 September, 3 October for the old Merlot vines and 8 October with respect Cabernets. It was cropped at 40 hectoliters per hectare and matured in 60% new barrels and 40% second fill. It has a well-defined bouquet, quite stony compared to more fruit-driven Pomerol 14's, scents of gravel percolating through the light blackberry and boysenberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm, slightly abrasive tannin at the moment that will hopefully be abraded during its barrel age. It feels a little attenuated on the finish and you feel taken aback by the lack of its usual concentration and flamboyance on the finish. Interestingly a second sample (at the UGC) showed more cohesion and weight on the finish vis to the sample at the château. Ronan Laborde has produced some truly wonderful wines at Clinet in recent years, but I need convincing that the 2014 will join their ranks. I will hopefully re-taste this later during its barrel maturation and report back. Drinking range: 2018 - 2032 Rating: 89-91 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2015)

The 2014 Clinet is striking. Energetic, tense and wiry, the 2014 jumps from the glass with notable intensity. The tannins are quite evident, as is the acidity, but there is a level of harmony here that is impossible to miss. Red currant, sweet red cherry, tobacco, smoke and white pepper add nuance on the pulsating finish. I imagine the 2014 is going to require quite a bit of time, but it is compelling, even at this early stage. The 2014 is 90% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc that saw 30+ days on the skins in small lot fermenters, with manual punch-downs. Malolactic fermentation took place in barrel. This is a fabulous showing from Clinet and proprietor Ronan Laborde. Rating: 92-95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2015)

Overripe notes on the nose. A little dull on the palate. Very stolid and without any real pace and direction. Drinking range: 2022 - 2032Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2015)

The fruit is ripe and sweet the nose has depth and the palate fleshy suppleness. Black plum and cassis a mix of fruits the fleshiness underpinned by freshness a lovely balance. It fills out on the back palate the finish lush packed with ripe fruit. Drinking range: 2020 - 2030 Rating: 89-93 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (Apr 2015)

High in Cabernet Sauvignon by the standards of Pomerol, Clinet makes wines that have structure as well as freshness. This is a very modern style, with prominent but well handled oak, silky tannins, bright acidity and notes of red berries and blackberry. The palate length is impressive here. Drinking range: 2022 - 2032 Rating: 93 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2015)

This is layered and intense with mineral, chalk, berry and olive character. Full, very fine and refined. Tight. Let’s see. Rating: 91-92 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Mar 2015)