2021 Château Clinet Pomerol

Château Clinet is a well-known wine producer located in the Pomerol appellation, Bordeaux, on the right bank of the Gironde River.

History of Château Clinet

The origins of Château Clinet date back to the 17th century. The property was originally part of the larger Château de la Couronne estate, which was built in the 16th century. Château Clinet emerged as a separate entity when it was acquired by the Constant family in the early 18th century. In the 19th century, Château Clinet had several owners. The property was acquired by the Arnaud family and under their ownership it gained recognition for producing high quality wines. The Arnaud family helped establish Château Clinet as a remarkable estate in Pomerol.

In 1985, Château Clinet underwent a change of ownership when it was acquired by Jean-Michel Arcaute. Arcaute continued the legacy of producing exceptional wines and invested in the estate's vineyards and winemaking facilities. In 1998, Jean-Michel Arcaute sold Château Clinet to the Audy family, and it is under their ownership that the estate has achieved significant recognition and success. The Audy family is committed to maintaining and improving the quality of Château Clinet wines. Ronan Laborde, a member of the Audy family, has played a key role in the management of the estate since the late 1990s. Under his leadership, Château Clinet has continued to produce distinctive wines, utilizing Pomerol's unique terroir and careful winemaking practices.

Production and terroir of Château Clinet

The vineyards of Château Clinet are located in the Pomerol appellation on the right bank of the Gironde river. The estate's terroir is characterized by a mix of gravel, clay and iron-rich soils. The vineyard is mainly planted with Merlot, which thrives in the microclimate of Pomerol. Château Clinet follows traditional winemaking practices, with an emphasis on manual harvesting, careful sorting of the grapes and fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then matured in French oak barrels, with a significant portion of the new barrels used to provide structure and complexity. Château Clinet is known for its commitment to producing high-quality wines that express Pomerol's unique terroir. The vineyard covers approximately 11 hectares (27 acres) and is planted with mainly Merlot, along with smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

Vinification at Château Clinet involves traditional practices including manual harvesting, careful grape sorting and fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged in French oak barrels, a significant portion of which are new, for a period that may vary depending on the vintage. Château Clinet's wines have received critical acclaim and the estate is considered one of the leading producers in Pomerol. The limited production and consistent quality of their wines contribute to their collectability, with certain vintages being highly sought after by wine enthusiasts and collectors. Château Clinet is known for its powerful and concentrated wines, often exhibiting rich fruit, velvety textures and the potential for aging. The estate produces several wines, with the flagship being Château Clinet. In addition, they produce a second wine called "Ronan by Clinet", which offers a more accessible and earlier drinking style. Château Clinet has received critical acclaim for numerous vintages, including those from the late 20th century and recent years. Some particularly well-regarded vintages are 1989, 1990, 2009, 2010 and 2015.