Clinet 2014

The 2014 Clinet is a wine that left me "perplexed" when I tasted it multiple times both from barrel and in bottle. The litmus test is how it shows blind... Here it has a lifted bouquet with truffle and smoke-infused red fruit, a subtle hickory note coming through with aeration. One or two attendees at the tasting suggested brettanomyces. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chewy tannin, spicy in the mouth with a dash of white pepper towards the firm, quite masculine and angular finish. Two bottles tasted with consistent notes. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Score: 90 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2020-2034 Date: 01 March 2018

The Château Clinet 2014 is a blend of 90% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc picked from 23 to 30 September, 3 October for the old Merlot vines and 8 October with respect Cabernets. It was cropped at 40 hectoliters per hectare and matured in 60% new barrels and 40% second fill. It has a well-defined bouquet, quite stony compared to more fruit-driven Pomerol 14's, scents of gravel percolating through the light blackberry and boysenberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm, slightly abrasive tannin at the moment that will hopefully be abraded during its barrel age. It feels a little attenuated on the finish and you feel taken aback by the lack of its usual concentration and flamboyance on the finish. Interestingly a second sample (at the UGC) showed more cohesion and weight on the finish vis to the sample at the château. Ronan Laborde has produced some truly wonderful wines at Clinet in recent years, but I need convincing that the 2014 will join their ranks. I will hopefully re-taste this later during its barrel maturation and report back.

Score: 89 - 91 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2032 Date: 01 April 2015

This is layered and intense with mineral, chalk, berry and olive character. Full, very fine and refined. Tight. Let’s see.

Score: 91 - 92 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 23 March 2015

The 2014 Clinet is striking. Energetic, tense and wiry, the 2014 jumps from the glass with notable intensity. The tannins are quite evident, as is the acidity, but there is a level of harmony here that is impossible to miss. Red currant, sweet red cherry, tobacco, smoke and white pepper add nuance on the pulsating finish. I imagine the 2014 is going to require quite a bit of time, but it is compelling, even at this early stage. The 2014 is 90% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc that saw 30+ days on the skins in small lot fermenters, with manual punch-downs. Malolactic fermentation took place in barrel. This is a fabulous showing from Clinet and proprietor Ronan Laborde.

Score: 92 - 95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 April 2015

The lush raspberry and plum fruit flavors are lined with an ample but velvety structure, leading to a long, spice-infused finish. Ripe but not overdone, this is sure to be a head-turner.

Score: 91 - 94 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 01 April 2015

90M, 9CS, 1CF with 60% new oak, from yields of 40hl/ha. Pronounced and very ripe with red fruit confit and cream, some slightly cooked notes and crushed wild strawberries. Lively and broad with punchy tannic structure and crispness.

Score: 91 - 94 Albany Vintners, - Date: 01 April 2015