Clinet

Chateau Clinet, one of the oldest vineyard sites in Pomerol, has a rich history dating back to 1595. Spanning 11.5 hectares, the vineyard’s diverse terroir blends gravel, clay, and iron-rich sandy soils. Lying at one of the highest points at the heart of Pomeral, the vines thrive in three primary parcels: La Grande Vigne, home to old vines from 1937 rooted in deep clay topped with gravel; Les Argilles, characterized by deep clay; and Le Plateau, featuring gravelly soil with smaller stones. The vineyard, managed sustainably, is cultivated predominantly to Merlot with a notable amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, making it one of the rare Pomerol estates with a significant proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in its vines.

From 1900 to 1991, Clinet was under the stewardship of the Audy family, prominent Bordeaux negociants. The estate flourished in the late 1970s under managing director Jean Michel Arcaute along with consultant Michel Rolland. They introduced cutting-edge winemaking techniques and increased the use of new French oak barrels. This resulted in opulent, super ripe wines, with the 1989 vintage earning a perfect 100 points from Robert Parker, establishing Clinet as a contender among Pomerol's best estates.

In 1998, the Laborde family acquired the estate. Jean Michel Arcaute continued as director until 1999, with Michel Rolland advising until 2014. Ronan Laborde, who took the helm in 2004, revitalized Clinet by replanting vines, adopting environmentally friendly practices, modernizing winemaking facilities, and streamlining distribution. The use of new French oak barrels was reduced from 100% to 60%, and the wines are aged for an average of 16 months. These enhancements led to a leap in quality with the 2005 vintage, and the 2009 vintage achieved another perfect 100 points from Robert Parker.

Chateau Clinet has consistently modernized their winery and updated their label design over the years. The current red label was first introduced with the 2000 vintage and was further refined in 2005 and 2009. A bottle of the 2005 vintage even made an appearance in the 2011 film “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” A vintage Clinet is bold, confident, and distinctive. When you swirl it, you can sense the feminine energy emanating from the bouquet—floral, rich dark fruits, and hints of violet. With each sip, there is so much harmony in the wine, which continues to improve over time. It is a reminder of the greatness of nature.