Tasting Notes
Vinous 86-88
Dark ruby. Initially very leafy, almost medicinal nose became fruitier with air. Then pungently aromatic on the palate, with strong notes of underbrush and pine cone dominating the delicate small dark berry flavors. With its rather extreme tannins, this seems over-extracted to me and I wonder if it will ever come into balance. But it does have above-average density and texture for the vintage, so I’m willing to give it the benefit of the doubt and see what develops over the next two years.
Robert Parker 91
The 2013 Clinet was one of the better wines that I tasted from barrel. Indeed both Robert Parker and I scored this Pomerol around the same mark and now it is in bottle, it has fulfilled my expectations as a delicious, easy-going, but still well-crafted wine from Ronan Laborde. It has a delicate but precise bouquet that gains intensity in the glass, cassis and a touch of wild mint, ground pepper emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannin that need another 12-18 months to soften, however there is adequate fruit underneath with a linear, slightly sappy finish. Enjoy this over the next 10-12 years.
Anticipated maturity: 2017-2028
JancisRobinson.com 16.5
Tasted blind. Deeply coloured. Dark aroma but also a bit stalky/dusty. Dry, a bit leafy but better than I expected from the nose. Just a little bit tough on the finish. (JH)
Anticipated maturity: 2020-2028
