Clinet Pomerol 2019

97-99 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "This is 80% Merlot, picked September 23rd to the 27th, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked October 3rd. The yield was 38 hl/ha and the declared alcohol 14.5%. A dense, dark, opaque wine with a hint of crimson at the rim. The nose is seething with dark, dried and savoury fruits, salted black olive, sun-dried black cherry and currant, with a fragrant twist of sandalwood and cedar. The palate starts off tight and controlled, relaxing in the middle to show a broad presence of savoury black fruits, blackcurrant and black bean, all wrapped in tobacco and cedar, with a rich and firm envelope of grippy tannins, ripe but tightly knit together to produce a velvety wall of structure. Piles of substance here, and a long finish which is bold and brimming with fruit, texture and a rich tannic substance, not to mention that tingling salty energy which characterises the vintage. A massive wine set up for the long haul. So impressive. (Jun 2020)"

97-99 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2019 Clinet is just so fragrant on the nose: black and red fruit vying for attention, iris and incense, touches of truffle in the background. The purity that Ronan Laborde and his team have achieved should be applauded. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins, perfect acidity, brilliant focus and a killer sense of tension on the finish. This is a stunning Clinet, the best that I have encountered in barrel over 20 years of tasting. That creamy texture takes your breath away. Up there with the very best - a Clinet that rivets you to the spot. Drink: 2025-2060. (Jun 2020)"

98 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2019 Château Clinet is brilliant stuff and another classic Pomerol from the talented Ronan Laborde. Deep purple-hued, with awesome notes of crème de cassis, mulberries, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and damp earth, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a round, seamless mouthfeel, and gorgeous tannins. It delivers that rare mix of elegance and sexiness that only Pomerol can. It needed plenty of air to show at its best and needs a good 4-6 years of bottle age, but it's going to evolve for 20-25 years or more. I love everything about this wine, and it's certainly in the same ballpark as the 2015, 2016, and 2018. And it remains incredibly well-priced given the quality. Don’t miss it. Drink: 2026-=2051. (4/11/22)"

98 points James Suckling: "A full-bodied Pomerol with dark-fruit, coconut, chocolate and hazelnut character on both the nose and palate. Fine-tannined with an intensely tight and chewy texture. Spice at the end. Very flavorful and muscular, yet it’s balanced and precise with well-toned form. Needs five or six years to resolve. Try after 2027. (2/20/22)"

97 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "The 2019 Clinet is showing beautifully in bottle, wafting from the glass with aromas of plums, cherries and berries mingled with hints of violets, licorice, subtle spices and smoke. Full-bodied, sensual and velvety, it's seamless and vibrant, with lively acids, ripe tannins and a long, resonant finish. This precise, concentrated wine is the finest young Clinet I've ever tasted, and it exemplifies the tremendous progress that Ronan Laborde has made at this estate over the last decade. Drink: 2025-2055. (Apr 2022)"

97 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "So seductive and heady on the nose, depth and layers of aroma, really quite captivating, luring you in. Excellent tension and clarity on the palate while also having a plump and fruity core and a softly voluptuous mouthfeel. There is an undercurrent of fresh minerality giving a sense of linearity and precision with juicy, ripe, fragranced fruit filling the palate giving body and weight so you get this push pull interplay of cool, wet stone grip and playful yet dark and seductive fruit. Tannins are ripe and supportive again giving structure but not too much weight. Such Pomerol glamour on show in the best way. It's a dark style, one where you feel the ripeness and the alcohol a touch on the finish but well packaged and presented. I really love it. Drinking Window: 2026-2046. (Jan 2022)"

95 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "So seductive and heady on the nose, depth and layers of aroma, really quite captivating, luring you in. Excellent tension and clarity on the palate while also having a plump and fruity core and a softly voluptuous mouthfeel. There is an undercurrent of fresh minerality giving a sense of linearity and precision with juicy, ripe, fragranced fruit filling the palate giving body and weight so you get this push pull interplay of cool, wet stone grip and playful yet dark and seductive fruit. Tannins are ripe and supportive again giving structure but not too much weight. Such Pomerol glamour on show in the best way. It's a dark style, one where you feel the ripeness and the alcohol a touch on the finish but well packaged and presented. I really love it. (Drink between 2026-2046. Drink: 2027-2029. (Feb 2022)"

95 points Jane Anson: "Sculpted, savoury, spliced-fruit feel, this stretches out through the palate with silky tannins layered up with cigar box, cocoa bean, espresso, sage and violet notes and a clear uplift of slate minerality on the drawn out finish. Luc Chassorieu is director of production, Ronan Laborde owner (this was his 17th harvest at Clinet). Bottled in June 2021; one month less ageing than in 2018. 80% new oak, 38hl/ha yield. This was Ronan's 17th harvest at Clinet, and contains more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend than in 2018 (the vines are almost 70 years old now). Alcohol 14.5%. Drink: 2028-2044. (11/3/21)"