Chateau Clinet
Fast Facts
Commune : PomerolVineyard area : 9 hectares
Grapes planted : Merlot (75%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Cabernet Sauvignon (15%)
Annual production : About 46,000 bottles
2nd Wine : Fleur de Clinet
Owner : Jean-Louis Laborde (also owns La Croix du Casse)
| Vintage | Price | Size | Robert Parker | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | HK$ 5880 | Bottle | 100 | Store |
| 1993 | HK$ 868 | Bottle | 90 | Transit |
| 1995 | HK$ 1480 | Bottle | 96 | Store |
| 1996 | HK$ 980 | Bottle | 91 | Transit |
More about Chateau Clinet
Clinet is situated in Pomerol, by far the smallest of the top-quality wine regions of Bordeaux. There is only a total of 800 hectares under vine. The chic neighbourhood is a small plateau rising 40 metres above sea level, being the highest ground of the area, but it represents no more than 25% of the appellation. At this clay and gravelly plateau, you would find Petrus literally at the top being surrounded by the rest of the top Pomerol domaines including Lafleur, La Conseillante, Vieux Chateau Certan, Clinet and a few others.
Experts find it hard to explain why this plateau should produce such magnificent wines. Petrus is certainly blessed because its soil is clay rich and ideal for merlot. However, other parts of the plateau find a mix of stony gravel. Many attributed it to the magical combination of soil type, drainage, exposure and grape variety, the very essence of terroir!
Clinet occupies 9 hectares, 75% is planted in merlot, 15% in cabernet sauvignon and 10% in cabernet franc. Adjacent to Clinet is L’Eglise-Clinet and Clos L’Eglise. These are 3 separate estates craved out from a single plot in 1882. The ownership has changed at various times and it was sold twice between 1998 and 2001. Therefore, there was a lack of consistency from the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, their wines were brilliant from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s. The 1989 vintage was given a perfect score by Robert Parker.
The best Pomerols enjoy a reputation for its depth of flavour and finesse. Given its high proportion of merlot, it is supple and fleshy and offers immediate pleasure. There is a sensuality that one does not find from the rugged and structured wines of the Left Bank. Compare to neighbouring Saint Emilion, it is far more fragrant and elegant.
Given that individual properties are so tiny, production is small and their wine is very hard to find. Petrus produces 2,500 cases per year, Le Pin and Lafleur produce between 750 to 1,000 cases. The larger estates such as La Conseillante and Vieux Chateau Certan produce no more than 5,000 cases. Clinet produced 3,800 cases in 1995. Such limited production guarantees cult status. Demand constantly outstrips supply.