Château Clinet - Pomerol 2016

Le Figaro - L'Avis du Vin

18 / 20

par Club Vin le 15/05/2017

Fruits rouges frais, cerise griotte, vanille. Bouche séveuse, ample, tannins opulents racés, tonique, pointe réglisse, finale longue.

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

par René Gabriel le 10/05/2017

Bettane & Desseauve

92 / 100

par Bettane & Desseauve le 03/05/2017

Racé et profond, intense, volumineux.

Wine Advocate

96-98 / 100

par Neal Martin le 02/05/2017

The 2016 Clinet is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that was picked from 22 September for the young vines, the older vines picked 1 and 2 October, finishing with the Cabernet Sauvignon the following day. It was cropped at 49 hectoliters per hectare and matured in 70% new oak and the remainder in second-fill barrels. It has 14.15% alcohol and a record-breaking 94 IPT. It has a very linear bouquet, quite strict and intense with a light iodine and marine scent merging with the black fruit. This is a more "aristocratic" nose for Clinet, sophisticated and one of the most nuanced I have encountered. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin that forms the foundation of a more masculine Clinet, complex and focused with a subtle spiciness coming through on the finish, which fans out with confidence and leaves a disarming, saline tang in the mouth. Yes, this is a magnificent Clinet, cool and mineral-soaked, both cerebral and lip-smackingly delicious.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

17 / 20

par Jean-Marc Quarin le 28/04/2017

Le meilleur jamais fait ! Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Nez intense, fruité, crémeux, épicé. Notes de violette. Très « Clinet ». Bouche luxuriante de fruits, au toucher raffiné, qui fond au palais, gracieuse, savoureuse et longue avec du goût et des tanins fins. C’est très bon. Degré d’alcool : 14º (moyenne plus), pH : 3.71 (moyenne plus), IPT : 94 (un record). Rendement : 49 hl/ha. Sélection : 75 % de premier vin.

The Wine Cellar Insider

95-97 / 100

par Jeff Leve le 27/04/2017

Style and grace in a long, dark cloak, velvet in texture, lush yet masculine. There is depth, length and power. The tannins are refined yet the acidity is quite present, giving the wine true lift, but the fruit is so ripe and sweet, all that tannin is buried deep. From a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon , the wine reached 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.71 and is aging in 70% new, oak barrels. The harvest for the Merlot took place from September 22 to October 3 and the Cabernet Sauvignon on October 4. The Grand Vin consists of 70% of the harvest. 

Vinous

92-95 / 100

par Antonio Galloni le 26/04/2017

A backward, brooding wine, the 2016 Clinet presents a distinctly dark expression of the appellation and vintage. Black fruit, smoke, licorice and heavy toast notes are front and center. Powerful, structured and dense in the glass, the 2016 is a Pomerol that makes its case with sheer intensity rather than finesse. There is not much subtlety here. If the 2016 comes together, and it may, it will merit an even more positive note.

matthewjukes.com

19 / 20

par Matthew Jukes le 25/04/2017

(90 Merlot, 10 Cabernet Sauvignon) | 70% new oak | 14.1% alc. | 94 IPT A very intense fruit-soaked nose leads the way with the tell-tale coffee notes and stunning oak complimenting the grav- itas of the aroma. The skin maturity was the greatest that owner Ronan Laborde had ever seen. The ‘caviar-like’ berries gave their colour up immediately and the results are exceptional. Malolactic fermentation was finished by November because the fruit was so relaxed and happy. This is clearly one of the best vintages ever for Clinet. Ronan described the vintage as‘highly emotional’and a miracle 40mm overnight on the 13th September saved it. Ronan reported that he saw the leaves turning back to the sun after this date. They started picking on 27 September and took their time bringing in each parcel at optimum ripeness and freshness. This is a landmark wine for Clinet. 19++

Decanter.com

97 / 100

par Jane Anson le 24/04/2017

The colour on this is deep and inky and a blast of cassis and black cherry fruit greets you on the nose. It has undeniable oak impact, but also a lovely lift that carries right through the palate, and that incredible Clinet precision. A fantastic 2016, not as exuberant as 2015 but showing the quality of the vintage where even the big-shouldered wines have a stunning lift, and a feeling of an invisible gossamer curtain holding them in place. Not a hedonist's vintage like 2009 or 2015, but cerebral in the style of 2001 and 2010. Strong coffee and grilled caramel on the finish. Drinking Window 2027 - 2050

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

par Jancis Robinson le 21/04/2017

Blackish crimson. Headily sweet and gamey on the nose with dark, purple-fruit aromas and then this sample went dead on me on the palate. Sucked out the saliva. Very drying end. Awkward, stodgy finish. Not for me. Unripe phenolics.

Wine Spectator

94-97 / 100

par James Molesworth le 10/04/2017

Dark in profile, with plum, blackberry and black currant fruit melded together, while wood spice and bramble hints run along the edges. Plenty of depth and length here, with lively tobacco and tar notes on the finish. This fleshes out with air too. Impressive, in the richer style.—J.M.

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

par James Suckling le 05/04/2017

The linear character to this is so impressive with beautiful blackberries and blueberries. Crushed stones and minerals. Medium to full body. Very pretty.