Chateau Clinet, Pomerol 2012

The 2012 is 90% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc.

A wine of total precision, the 2012 Clinet possesses striking aromatic nuance and delineation. Crushed flowers, sweet raspberries, herbs and mint flesh out effortlessly, with silky, polished tannins that add to the wine's feel of graciousness. The spherical, beautifully textured finish suggests the 2012 will offer a wide drinking window of pure pleasure over the next 15-20 years. This is impressive.

Drink 2018 - 2032

Love this, a beautifully characterful wine that is hugely appealing as it opens, the fruit is brambled, gourmet and well crafted, with a generous Pomerol spirit. The tannins have softened their grip at 11 years old. On the edge of ready to drink, a ton of black chocolate and pomegranate, with the slate and crushed rock edge of Clinet. One to look out for. 50% new oak, Ronan Laborde owner.

Drink 2023 - 2042

Fabulous nose of orange peel, blueberries and blackberries. Full body, firm tannins and a cocoa, cedar and berry finish. Little austere now but so fine. Truly outstanding for the vintage.

Better after 2016

Opaque purple. Very ripe, slightly high-toned aromas of black cherry, roasted plum, licorice and violet, plus a hint of coffee. Supple on entry, then increasingly firm in the middle, but with enough creaminess of texture to the dark berry and spicy oak flavors to avoid seeming excessively over-extracted. Still, this wine's serious tannins currently cut off its fruit, leaving an impression of chunkiness and rigid structure.