Clinet 2010

Rather savoury, meaty nose. Sweet velvety start and rather lighter on the palate than some of its peers. Slightly pinched tannins on the end but this is not overdone. Tasted blind it would represent 2010 Pomerol pretty efficiently. Still needs a bit of time though. 14%Drink 2022 – 2040

The richness of ripe black plum fleshes out the nose and gives weight on the palate. There is depth of flavour a mix of black fruits with plum and cherry tending to dominate. The tannins are firm giving structure and tending to give some dryness on the finish.

Dark, rich and powerful. Good attack. Undoubted depth and reserve but I prefer the balance and charm of the '09. Bit more extraction this year? Drink 2018-2035.

A spectacular success in this vintage, this blend of 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc achieved 15% natural alcohol. Sadly, there are only 3,400 cases primarily because of the small Merlot crop (yields were only 29 hectoliters per hectare). The wine's opaque purple color is followed by an extraordinary bouquet of boysenberries, blueberries, black currants, licorice, truffles and a hint of asphalt. The wine possesses great intensity, a multidimensional mouthfeel, stunning glycerin and richness, and wonderful freshness as well as precision because of the vintage conditions. This massive Pomerol will age effortlessly for 30-35 years. Equaling what Clinet achieved in 1989 and 1990, it is the third successive great vintage for this estate.

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Clinet 2010 has a tempting truffle-scented bouquet with fine delineation - crushed violets developing beautifully in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp red berry fruit on the entry, fine angular tannins with a tart but focused, tense finish. This is a fabulous Clinet from Ronan Laborde and his team, although I suspect that the 2009 Clinet may eventually turn out to be the superior wine. Tasted January 2014.

Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. The Clinet 2010 is blessed with a compelling bouquet with ripe, succulent small dark cherries, blueberry and cassis that show outstanding control and delineation. There is a femininity here that I have not discerned on recent vintages. The palate is voluminous and complex with exuberant black fruit, cassis, black pepper and spice, the finish showing immense control and persistency. Outstanding - the kind of Pomerol fit for the finest Essex restaurant! Tasted November 2012.

Tasted somewhere (but I cannot remember exactly where) the Clinet 2010 has a precocious nose that soon settles in the glass: very pure dark cherry and blueberry fruit with touches of black olive and vanilla, building in intensity but remaining composed. The palate is full-bodied with ripe "clingy" tannins that do not want to let go and yet the texture of smooth and seductive. Don't be fooled by the first half. Those tannins kick in towards the second with a surprising dry, taut, tar-tinged finish. This is a complex Clinet that will really show its true colours after bottling. Well done Ronan! Tasted March 2011.

Nothing on the palate and then all of a sudden it blasts off on the finish. Superb Clinet. Full and velvety. Juicy.

Blackish crimson. Such ripeness it's almost cheesy on the nose. Then very firm on the palate - verging on inkiness. A real backbone here! This wine's two faces don't seem to be talking to each other yet. It may get there in the end…?