2022 Chateau Clinet - Pomerol AC

Decanter.com – 96 pts – GH: *Streamlined and sleek, silky smooth but also gorgeously textured, clean and clear with grip and interest. Less fleshy and chewy than some, more charming and elegant with tannins that have a weight in the mouth. There is clear power and concentration underneath the juicy acidity with a straight backbone and direct energy from start to finish. Appealing layers of salinity, blackcurrant fruit, creamy vanilla, cool cola touches and crushed stones on the finish. Feels well made and sophisticated. 3.74pH. A yield of 34hl/ha. Earliest harvest ever starting on 6 September for Merlot and 20 and 21 September for Cabernet Sauvignon.* - 04/2023

Falstaff Magazin – 97 pts – PM: *Dunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart floral, schwarze Beeren und Lakritze, schwarze Kirschen, Mandarinenzesten. Saftig, elegant, reife Kirschen, frischer Säurebogen, wie aus einem Guss, reife, tragende Tannine, ein balancierter Speisenbegleiter von großer Länge und mit beachtlichem Potenzial.* - 01/2023

WeinWisser – 18+/20pts – GL, TW: *Delikates rot- und blaubeeriges Bouquet, Graphit, dunkles Edelholz und Johannisbeernektar. Am komplexen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, engmaschigem Tanningerüst, balancierter Rasse und durchtrainiertem Körper. Im konzentrierten und energiegeladenen Finale rotbeerige Konturen, tiefschürfende Mineralik und feinkörniger Extrakt. Ein Clinet, der durch seine Reinheit überzeugt und noch zulegen kann!* – 04/2023

JancisRobinson.com – 17,5/20pts – JR: *80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample. Intense crimson. Sweet, supple, hedonistic nose. Very smooth and seductive with, just, enough freshness and some rigour in the structure. Lots of tannin built into this ambitious wine although the sheer weight of ripe fruit distracts until the end of the palate. Should have a longer life than many of its peers.* - 04/2023

Vinous.com – (94-96) pts – AG: *The 2022 Clinet is terrific. Vibrant, aromatic and beautifully sculpted, Clinet is also a terrific example of the energy quality-minded winemakers were able to achieve in 2022. Crushed rose petals, spice, blood orange, mint and white pepper give Clinet a compelling upper register of presence in the bouquet. Wonderfully delineated, Clinet builds effortlessly into the mid-palate and finish, where a closing burst of red/purplish fruit framed by clean mineral notes leaves a lasting impression. This is stellar. Tasted two times.* - 04/2023

Vinous.com – (94-96) pts – NM: *The 2022 Clinet is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon picked from 6-21 September at around 34hL/ha. There were apparently many bunches, but the berries were small. Aged in 80% new oak and 20% 2nd fill barrels, the 2022 offers black fruit on the nose with traces of Japanese nori probably emanating from the Cabernet. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, well-judged acidity and a fine backbone that gently grips the mouth. This is a linear Pomerol with impressive delineation on the almost pastille-like finish. I appreciate this Clinet's persistence and discrete spiciness on the aftertaste. Excellent. But it is a vintage that requires time in bottle.* - 04/2023

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (98-100) pts – JL: * Very floral in its perfume, you also find notes of dark, and milk chocolate, mint, cherry liqueur, plums, and a background touch of espresso. However, it is on the palate where you enjoy the wine at its best. Texturally, this is silk and velvet. There are no hard edges. The fruits are so pure, they taste as if they were just picked from the vineyard. The finish is seamless, moving through its beginning, middle, and end, effortlessly. The sensuous finish sees the 60 second mark and keeps right on going. From a blend of 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc, 14.60% ABV, 3.6 pH. The harvest took place September 3 - September 9. This is the earliest harvest in the history of the estate. It is great to see continuing strong wines from the Durantou family. Drink from 2027-2060.* - 05/2023