Château Clinet Clinet 2021

Region and Vineyards

Château Clinet is situated in the prestigious Pomerol appellation on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, an area known for producing some of the most luxurious Merlot-based wines in the world. The estate's vineyards are planted on gravel and clay soils, which are ideal for growing Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. These soils offer excellent drainage and impart the mineral qualities that give Clinet’s wines their depth and elegance.

The 2021 growing season was marked by challenges, including variable weather, but Château Clinet managed to harvest fruit with excellent concentration. The vineyard management team's dedication to sustainable viticulture ensured the production of high-quality grapes, with a focus on preserving the health and longevity of the vines.

Winemaking

The Château Clinet 2021 was crafted using traditional Bordeaux winemaking techniques. The grapes, primarily Merlot with a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, were carefully selected and fermented in stainless steel tanks to retain the purity of the fruit. The wine was then aged for 16 months in oak barrels, with a mix of 80% new oak and 20% one-year-old barrels. This extended aging process added layers of complexity to the wine, integrating the tannins and enhancing the flavors of dark fruit, spice, and oak.

Matured with precision, this wine showcases a harmonious balance between the richness of Merlot and the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon, with the oak influence providing depth and subtle notes of vanilla and cedar.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep purple-black with a brilliant sheen.
• Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated aromas of blackberry, plum, and blueberry, interwoven with hints of cedar, licorice, and graphite.
• Palate: The palate is rich and full-bodied, dominated by ripe flavors of black fruits, such as blackcurrant and black cherry, layered with earthy undertones and a touch of spice. The tannins are fine-grained, providing structure and elegance, while the bright acidity adds vibrancy.
• Finish: The finish is long and persistent, with lingering notes of dark chocolate, cedar, and a touch of minerality, promising excellent aging potential.

Did You Know?

Château Clinet is one of the oldest properties in Pomerol, with records dating back to the 18th century. The 2021 vintage showcases the estate’s commitment to producing high-quality, terroir-driven wines, capable of aging for decades. This wine can be enjoyed now but will develop beautifully over the next 20-30 years, reaching its peak around 2040-2050.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Braised lamb shank with rosemary: The wine’s rich, savory notes and fine tannins complement the tender, herbaceous lamb.
• Beef Wellington: The layers of puff pastry, mushroom duxelles, and beef are enhanced by the wine’s depth and complexity, with its fruity and earthy elements harmonizing beautifully with the dish.
• Roast duck with black cherry sauce: The ripe fruit flavors of the wine pair well with the sweet and savory character of roast duck.
• Aged cheddar or Comté: The intensity and structure of the wine make it an excellent match for strong, aged cheeses, enhancing the flavors with its long, persistent finish.

History of Château Clinet

Château Clinet’s origins can be traced back to the 18th century, making it one of the oldest properties in Pomerol. Throughout its long history, the estate has seen several owners, but it wasn’t until the late 1980s that Château Clinet gained significant recognition. Under the ownership of Jean-Louis Laborde, the estate underwent a transformation that raised its profile, with a focus on improving vineyard management and winemaking techniques.

Today, Ronald Laborde, Jean-Louis’ son, continues to manage the estate with a dedication to quality and innovation. Château Clinet is now one of the leading properties in Pomerol, known for its Merlot-based wines, which are considered some of the finest in Bordeaux.

Region and Vineyards

Château Clinet is located on the gravelly plateau of Pomerol, where its 8.5-hectare vineyard benefits from ideal growing conditions for Merlot, the dominant grape variety at the estate. The soils, a mix of gravel, clay, and iron-rich subsoil, provide excellent drainage, helping the vines produce grapes with intense concentration and complexity.

The vineyard is primarily planted with Merlot (85%), which thrives in Pomerol’s clay-dominated soils, along with smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The cool, gravelly soils lend freshness and structure to the wines, while the iron-rich clay, unique to Pomerol, gives the wines their depth and minerality.

Sustainable viticulture is a key focus at Château Clinet, ensuring the long-term health of the vineyard and the quality of the wines produced.

Wine Range

Château Clinet’s wine range is centered around its flagship Château Clinet wine, a Merlot-driven Pomerol blend that showcases the estate’s ability to produce wines of great depth and finesse. The estate also produces a second wine, Fleur de Clinet, which is made from younger vines and offers a more approachable style.

• Château Clinet: The estate's premier wine, a rich and powerful Merlot-dominated blend with elegant tannins and complex layers of fruit, spice, and earthy minerality. This wine is renowned for its aging potential.
• Fleur de Clinet: The second wine, typically made from younger vines, offering a more accessible and fruit-forward expression of Pomerol, but still with the structure and elegance that define Château Clinet.

Did You Know?

Château Clinet is famous for its use of "crasse de fer", an iron-rich clay found in its soils that is unique to Pomerol. This terroir feature imparts a distinctive minerality and depth to the wines, setting Château Clinet apart from other Bordeaux estates.