Clinet 2020

Broad shouldered, muscular with black cherry, damson and raspberry coulis, cocoa bean, espresso classic Clinet precision and heft, punch and power, a ton of quality Pomerol signature. 38hl/ha yield.

Full bottle 1,360 g. Cask sample taken 6 April. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Vines 39 years old. Very dark right to the purplish rim. Rich and sumptuous aroma of pure, sweet, black fruit, entwined with oak's sweet spice. Powerful and a little charry on the palate, the tannins thick and compact but already smooth. A big, alcoholic beast of a wine but ends with unexpected freshness, and, even with this high alcohol, just about in balance. Long, chewy finish. Wholesome, powerful. (JH) 15.5%Drink 2030 – 2044

(88% harvest; 43hl/ha; 15+% ABV)Inky; very ripe and quite oaky to smell; rich and powerful, very fresh in acidity, very finely tannic, well-balanced in this rather potent style; a surprising and individual wine, it is both powerful and fine at once, full of perfume within its ample proportions, long and subtle across the palate, transparent and intense, but without any sense of “thickness,” tenacious to taste, and with a great fragrant persistence. It is, not surprisingly, a touch warm on the palate, if you are sensitive to the level of alcohol, which also hardens the very fine tannins slightly. But it is also racy and delicate, almost fine liqueur- or spirit-like, but without the alcohol. Quite how it will develop in bottle, I have no idea, but it is certainly a very individual, a sort of special expression of the year. Plenty to consider. 2028–50?

The 2020 Clinet was picked September 14–17 for the Merlot and September 24 for the Cabernet Sauvignon, at 38hl/ha, and matured in 80% new oak. Its 15.0° alcohol is the highest ever. The bravura nose delivers copious black cherries, blueberry and violet aromas that explode from the glass. This is a Pomerol that really wants to make an impression. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannins, hints of chocolate chip infusing the mixture of black and blueberry fruit. Lavish and satiny in texture toward the long finish. This is a bold and extravagant Clinet that I hope will just find a little refinement and more terroir expression during its élevage. If it does, it should land at the top of my banded score. 2027 - 2055.

This is extremely polished with ultra fine tannins that are so exquisite, giving this a seamless and weightless mouth feel. Medium-bodied, extremely long and harmonious.

The 2020 Clinet (a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon) has an opaque purple-black color, needing a little coaxing to unleash bold, powerful notes of plum preserves, blueberry compote and black raspberries, followed by suggestions of cracked black pepper, menthol, cedar chest and rose oil with a hint of licorice. The big, rich, full-bodied palate is a powerhouse, bursting with impactful black and blue fruit preserves flavors, supported by ripe, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and fantastically perfumed. 2027 - 2057

Deep cherry damson red in colour, clear depth. Touches of kicking spice right from the start, I like the surprise of the battle between richness and bitterness. It feels like a heavy blanket of fruit which is burrowing down but then kicks off to let the air in alongside velvet stroking tannins, very Pomerol with coffee and chocolate. Feels confident and powerful, good stuff, if broad shouldered. A yield of 38 hl/ha. Will see at least 16 months in barrel. Tasted twice, also at Pomeol Seduction; and this is a big, seductive wine.Drinking Window 2029 - 2044