Chateau Feytit-Clinet, Pomerol 2017

I love this tiny Pomerol estate, which is brilliantly run by Jeremy Chasseuil. The vineyard covers just over six hectares situated between Trotanoy and Latour A Pomerol, in the Clinet sector of the Pomerol appellation. The 2017 Chateau Feytit-Clinet is mostly Merlot (there’s 7% Cabernet Franc) that spent 16 months in 65% new French oak. It’s never a shy wine, and the 2017 offers loads of ripe black fruits, lavender, orange blossom, and exotic floral and violet aromatics. These carry to a full-bodied Pomerol that has a mouthfilling, expansive texture, ripe, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It offers more fruit, opulence, and sexiness than just about every wine in the vintage. It’s already hard to resist yet will benefit from 5-7 years of bottle age and cruise for two decades.

A wine of real distinction and class, the 2017 Feytit-Clinet possesses tremendous intensity and exceptional balance. Inky black cherry, lavender, charred earth and licorice, along with potent tannins, give Feytit-Clinet its explosive rich personality. As always, Feytit-Clinet is an especially virile, tannic Pomerol. All the elements are wonderfully fused together. The 2017 was tremendous on each of the three occasions I tasted it. In a word: Superb.

Some good fruit with hints of chocolate and berry character. Medium body, firm tannins and an open finish. Should develop nicely.

The present blend of the 2017 Feytit Clinet is 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Very deep purple-black in color, it gives up crushed black plums, blackberries and mulberries with hints of spice box, sandalwood and wood smoke. The palate is medium-bodied, firm, chewy and quite earthy in the mouth with just enough freshness and those spices reemerge on the finish.

The 2017 Feytit-Clinet has quite a complex bouquet with red berry fruit, a touch of seaweed and smoke. It is not as powerful as the previous two vintages although it displays impressive focus. The palate is very refined on the entry, silky smooth in texture (as usual) with a fine bead of acidity. It just needs to manifest more precision towards the finish but that will hopefully develop during its barrel maturation. I have been a big supporter of Jeremy Chasseuil’s often over-looked Pomerol and though, this is not from his top-drawer, it still shows potential. I am prudent with my assessment for now.