The colour is medium garnet. On the nose, dark chocolate, leather and tobacco, accompanied by traces of ripe black cherry, blueberry and plum. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied. The tannins are largely softened by age, although there is still some grip towards the finish. The relatively modest acidity imparts some freshness. The finish is moderately long, but not very savoury.
After 23 years in the cellar, the wine’s maturity is evident.
Château Clinet is one of the well established estates of Pomerol, on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, an appellation particularly renowned for its Merlot-dominated wines. Unlike the Médoc, Pomerol has no official château classification, yet its best estates produce some of Bordeaux’s most sought-after and expensive wines.
Clinet has a remarkably long history. The vineyard can be traced back to at least 1595, making it one of the oldest documented vineyards in Pomerol. Over the centuries, the estate passed through several owners, including the Constant family, who also owned Château Pétrus. The modern history of Clinet began in the late 1970s and 1980s, when Jean-Michel Arcaute, working with consultant Michel Rolland, introduced important changes in vineyard management and winemaking, including green harvesting and a greater emphasis on Merlot.
In 1998, Jean-Louis Laborde, an entrepreneur and passionate wine lover, acquired Château Clinet, beginning a new chapter in the estate’s history. His son Ronan subsequently joined the domaine and took over its management in the early 2000s, continuing the family’s investment in the property and its ambition to establish Clinet among Pomerol’s leading estates.
The vineyard covers around 11 hectares and sits on a combination of gravel, clay and iron-rich soils. The gravelly terraces provide drainage, while the clay helps retain water, an important characteristic for Merlot, particularly in warm and dry vintages. Some of the estate’s oldest vines date back to 1934, including the celebrated Grand Vigne parcel in front of the Pomerol church.
The 2003 Château Clinet was made predominantly from Merlot, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with the vintage blend reported at approximately 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc.
The 2003 vintage was one of the most extreme growing seasons Bordeaux experienced in decades, characterised by exceptional heat and drought. Pomerol, with its early-ripening Merlot, was particularly exposed to these conditions. The heat produced highly concentrated fruit in some vineyards, but also created challenges with acidity, tannin ripeness and balance.
I received this wine as a gift from a friend. Current prices range from around 62 EUR to 90 EUR.
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Type: Red
Vintage: 2003
Producer: Château Clinet
Price range: Extra (50-100 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5