| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Another resounding success for the vintage, the opaque purple-colored 2008 Clinet (14.4% alcohol) is composed of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Yields of 38 hectoliters per hectare, while higher than in 2010, were still modest. Another powerful, big, large-scaled effort, the 2008 exhibits an inky/purple color as well as sweet creme de cassis, blackberry, plum, Asian spice, licorice and incense notes. Layered and full-bodied with stunning purity and a 40+ second finish, this beauty needs 3-5 years of bottle age and should keep for 25-30 years.
The 2008 Clinet has a deep garnet colour. This has plenty of fruit on the nose with ample blackberry, cranberry and fresh mint; very well defined and quite opulent in the context of the growing season. The palate is fresh on the entry with fine tannin, layers of blackberry and bilberry fruit laced with crushed stone; fresh and lively with a hint of peppermint towards the finish and graphite (courtesy of the Cabernet) on the aftertaste. This is drinking very well now although it has another 15 years of drinking enjoyment to give. 2018 - 2033
Dark in color and concentrated on the nose, with crushed blackberry and tar. Full-bodied, with soft, silky tannins and a long finish. Beautifully crafted.
Bright, cedary black fruit on the nose, peppery. Lively and inviting. Dense and rich on the mid palate with firm but sweet tannins and a fine bright zesty finish. (JH)
The nose has a good depth of black fruits and the richness of black plum fills out the palate.
There are layers of fruit the richness well balanced by freshness and as the tannins feel ripe the
back palate is generous supple and full. 2014-2026
This is the greatest Clinet since the incredible duo made by the late Jean-Michel Arcaute in 1989 and 1990. The dense purple-colored 2008 offers up beautiful floral, blackberry, and pen ink-like notes, exceptional intensity, that multilayered texture that seems to be commonplace in the top 2008 Pomerols, silky but elevated tannins, good freshness, precision, and nuance, a substantial size, and an extremely long finish with not a hard edge to be found. It should evolve for 30+ years.
Tasted ex-château and single blind in Southwold. Ronan Laborde has overseen a fantastic Clinet in 2008. It has an attractive floral bouquet with cassis, iodine, vanilla and crushed violets with fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a gritty entry, chalky tannins but very good fruit concentration and superb delineation on the finish. Not a flashy Pomerol and with less ostentation than Clinets from the 1990s. It is a modern Pomerol, one that is supremely well crafted. Tasted January 2012.
