Chateau Clinet 2017

WEINWISSER: WEINWISSER:"92 % Merlot, 8 % Cabernet Sauvignon. Mit 13,1 % -vol. bringt UGCB-Präsident Ronan Laborde einen eleganten und verführerischen Pomerol ins Glas. Dichtes Rubinviolett mit aufhellendem Rand. Ein berauschendes Bouquet mit blau- und dunkelbeerigen Noten, sogar ein Touch Cassis und rote Kirschen, das Ganze umrahmt von wunderbaren floralen und lakritzigen Noten. Trotz des geringen Anteils spürt man den voll ausgereiften Cabernet Sauvignon im Blend. Am Gaumen mit cremiger Dichte und eleganter Rasse mit feinpoliertem Tannin, ist nicht auf Kraft und Konzentration vinifiziert, bleibt also erstaunlich schlank und dennoch mit sinnlicher Tiefe und Pomerol-Noblesse. Upgrade gegenüber den Primeurs mit vorgezogener Trinkreife von 2027 auf 2024."

WINE CELLAR INSIDER: THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER:"An outstanding wine, especially when you consider the vintage, here you find lush, silky textures and layers of ripe, sweet, fresh, soft plums, fresh cherries and nuances of chocolate, licorice, spice, smoke, flowers and wet earth. Already disarmingly pleasurable to drink, don't be fooled by its forward approach. Give it at least 5 more years in the cellar to allow the wine to further soften, expand and take on additional nuances."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: WINE ENTHUSIAST:"This wine is stacked with tannins and concentrated fruits, with a dense texture. The wine's future is assured and long term. Drink from 2024."

WINESPECTATOR: WINESPECTATOR:"This is brimming with raspberry and boysenberry compote flavors, while mouthwatering anise and pain d'épices notes fill in the background. Reveals a flash of ganache, a streak of tar and an echo of bramble through the finish, adding range while the gorgeous fruit holds center stage. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2022 through 2038. 2,000 cases made. — JM"

WINEADVOCATE: THE WINEADVOCATE:"Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Clinet opens slowly to reveal vibrant red and black fruits: red currants, black cherries, plums and cassis with touches of roses, yeast extract, wood smoke and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannins and a taut, muscular palate of tightly wound fruits and compelling mineral accents, it finishes long with wonderful purity and fragrant earth accents."

JAMES SUCKLING: JAMES SUCKLING:"A fresh and fruity Clinet with tangy acidity highlighting the plum and cherry character. Reserved style. Medium body, creamy tannins and a delicious finish. Linear and focused in general. Needs a year or two to calm down. Better after 2022."

ANTONIO GALLONI: ANTONIO GALLONI:"The 2017 Clinet was bottled at the end of June 2019. It has a more understated bouquet than the 2015 or 2016. Tightly wound, brambly black fruit with traces of pressed violet and iodine, gradually open with orange rind notes. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins. This is classic in style, firm grip and a little rigid in its youth, although it will flesh out with bottle age. I admire both the freshness and salinity in this Clinet, especially its linearity on the finish. Excellent."

DUNNUCK: JEB DUNNUCK:"The 2017 Chateau Clinet checks in behind the 2015 and 2016 (and I suspect the 2018), yet it does well in the vintage. Based on 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in 72% new barrels (the estate has moved to using more 500-liter barrels), representing 80% of the production, its deep purple hue is followed by classic Clinet dark, chocolatey fruit and tobacco notes. This gives way to a medium to full-bodied Pomerol that has firm tannins, solid mid-palate density, and outstanding length. The tannins here will need 4-5 years of bottle age, and I’d lean toward drinking bottles over the following decade."

DECANTER: DECANTER:"The wine has deepened and taken on character during ageing, although it still doesn't have the power and intensity of the vintages on either side, but this is going to be delicious drinking over the coming 10 to 15 years. Clinet is always a safe bet for precision and it delivers this again."

FALSTAFF: FALSTAFF:"Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, reife Zwetschken, dunkle Kirschen, feine Kräuterwürze, mineralischer Touch. Schlank, blättrig, spröde Tannine, salziger Nachhall, wirkt weitmaschig und etwas uncharmant, rotbeeriges Konfit im Rückgeschmack, zart vegetal."