Chateau Clinet 2009

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Clinet has been on a hot streak lately and the 2009 appears to be the greatest wine ever made at the estate, surpassing even the late Jean-Michel Arcaute’s monumental 1989. A blend of 85% Merlot and tiny amounts of Cabernet Franc (12%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (3%), this big Pomerol boasts an opaque, moonless night inky/blue/purple color in addition to a gorgeous perfume of blueberry pie, incense, truffles, black raspberries, licorice and wood smoke. Viscous and multi-dimensional with silky, sweet tannin, massive fruit concentration and full-bodied power, there are nearly 4,000 cases of this thick, juicy, perfect Clinet. It should drink well in 3-5 years and keep for 25-30."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Still young, this is evolving at a glacial pace, yet there is no denying the greatness in this bottle. Deep in color, the wine pops with notes of licorice, black plum liqueur, dark cherries, chocolate, espresso, truffle, and rose petals on the nose. With incredible levels of density, the wine coats your palate with liquified plums, black cherry liqueur, dark chocolate and roast espresso that coats your palate and sticks with you for over 60 seconds. Be patient here as the wine demands at least 5 and may 7-8 more years in the cellar."

WEINWISSER: "Extrem dunkles Purpur mit lila und violetten Reflexen. Würziges Bouquet, Lakritze, schwarze Pfefferkörner, dunkle Edelhölzer und Schwarztee. Konzentrierter Gaumen, fleischige Tannine, mit deutlicher Adstringenz, Vanillemark und Cassis im Finale. Besitzt reichlich Kraft und gewaltiges Potenzial und erinnert an legendäre Clinet-Jahränge der 1950er Jahre."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Aromas of dark fruits, hazelnut and dark chocolate, follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins that are polished and refined. Beautiful depth of fruit to this."

DECANTER: "A big-shouldered, powerful and classic Pomerol. Inky black in colour even at 11 years old, this is concentrated yet juicy and built for pleasure, filled with dense black cherries, fleshy raspberries, liquorice and shaved chocolate. On soils that are largely clay and gravel, with sandier sections, making it an excellent reflection of the appellation, and more than showcasing its ability to deliver superbly brushed tannins that gently pillow the Merlot-dominant fruit. Drinking Window 2020 - 2040"

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Beerenkonfit, Dörrobst, etwas Powidl, Nougat, Orangenkonfit, intensive Kräuterwürze, balsamische Anklänge. Stoffig, komplex und süß, feine Schokonote, kraftvolle, gut integrierte Tannine, süße Kirschen, lebendig, salzig, mineralisch."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Very lush and exotic, boasting plum sauce, crushed fig, warm raspberry confiture and steeped black currant fruit all dripping over a racy but buried graphite spine. The long, dark finish has plenty of stuffing for the long haul. Really beautifully rendered. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2015 through 2034."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "A smooth, superripe wine, full of the sweetest fruit, big and rich. It is opulent, a powerhouse of dense Merlot fruits, rounded out with soft tannins."