Chateau Clinet 2025

Deep in color, the wine exudes aromas of licorice, flowers, black cherries, espresso, plums, herbs, and chocolate with a single swirl. The palate is even better, with waves of opulent, lush, soft, polished, expressive, and fresh fruit. The balance among depth, sweetness, flesh, and lift is exactly where it needs to be. The finish is defined by the intensity of the vibrant fruit on the palate, depth of flavor, and purity. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14% ABV, 3.65 pH. Harvesting took place September 4 September 17. This is the earliest harvest in the history of the estate. Yields were 34 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2029-2060.

• Name des Kritikers: Jeff Leve

The 2025 Clinet was the earliest picking ever, from September 4, and aged in 60% new oak plus 40% one-year-old barrels. Vintages now have a little more Cabernet Sauvignon, as a hectare of Merlot was uprooted. Now this has a delightful nose, perhaps the most elegant and refined that I have encountered at this stage: vivid red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry scents, neatly embroidered oak, more floral in style. The palate is medium-bodied with chiselled, fine tannins, bright and tensile, exquisite focus, with a peacock's tail on the finish. Quite crystalline on the finish, this is a Clinet that I would like in my cellar. Or at the dinner table. Or in my glass.

• Name des Kritikers: Neal Martin

The 2025 Clinet is a dark, brooding wine, largely because of the significant presence of Cabernet Sauvignon—a rarity in Pomerol, but a tradition here dating back to vines that were planted in the 1930s and 1950s. Plum, blackberry, gravel, incense, licorice and scorched earth stain the palate. Harvest started on September 4, the earliest ever. Yields were 34 hectoliters per hectare. Lots saw about 30 days on the skins, on the longer side for the château. Malolactic fermentation was done in barrel. Élevage is 60% new oak and 40% once-filled new oak.

• Name des Kritikers: Antonio Galloni

Lots of fragrant floral aromatics on the nose, smells so vivid and expressive along with mint, blackcurrant leaf, pepper and tobacco. Supple and generous, immediately both energetic and plush with great tannins, great lift and focus. Joyful and full of red berry juice with chalky tannins that fill the mouth. Spice comes in on the finish. Plump yet also has an element of cool crispness. I like this – it’s elegant and refined while still being mouthwatering and juicy. Great stuff that makes you smile. Salty with a slightly reserved nature but still giving such flavour and complexity. Earliest ever harvest (started 4 September). A yield of 34hl/ha. Ageing 100% in oak (60% new).

• Name des Kritikers: Georgina Hindle

Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque core, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Black berry fruit, nuances of precious wood, delicate hints of cassis, a hint of cloves. Powerful, tightly woven, some vanilla and nougat, ripe tannins, sticks well, salty touch on the finish, mineral aftertaste.

• Name des Kritikers: Peter Moser