CHÂTEAU FEYTIT CLINET

The 2023 Feytit-Clinet is fabulous. Rich and sumptuous in the glass, the 2023 offers up a heady mix of blue/black fruit, gravel, chocolate, scorched earth, lavender and liquified rocks. Feytit-Clinet is often a rich, structured Pomerol, but in 2023, the tannins are totally woven into the wine's fabric, making for a wine that marries power with finesse. Clean mineral notes extend the finish effortlessly. The 2023 will see 14-15 months in oak—70% new and 30% once-used barrels. Yields were a healthy 42 hectoliters per hectare. Tasted two times. Drinking range: 2030 - 2048 Rating: 93-95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

A nice concentration of fruit is the focus on the nose of this barrel sample, a blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, with crushed blackberry and layers of coffee bean and sweet dark chocolate. This is matched by an appealing, softly polished core of texture which characterises the start and middle of the palate, with a rich grip of tightly knit tannins. A modest but appealing depth, but still very much showing the sinew and drive of the vintage, with threads of blackberry, toast, dark chocolate and slate, set over the grip and fresh acidity. But it has texture too, lifting this above many other wines in this vintage, before it finishes in a firm and convincing style. An attractive Feytit-Clinet this year, with texture, cohesion and grip. Tasted three times. Rating: 93-95 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Very pretty and classy with berry, chocolate and hazelnut character. Medium body. Creamy, round tannins lead to a lightly crunchy and attractive finish. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)