Clinet was one of the stand-out Right Bank wines in the flight—I ranked it first, enchanted by the pronounced, ripe aromas of plum, fig, and cassis accented with cedar, leather, and a touch of honey. 88% Merlot blended with 12% Cabernet Franc, aged in two-thirds new casks gives a texture that is velvety, almost plump, and rich tannins that support the wine well. It is youthful still but beginning to open up nicely now, and should deliver for years to come. Drinking Window 2021 - 2040
Blind tasted by Charles Curtis MW (at Atlanta, 26 Jun 2021)
Part of Bordeaux 2005 retrospective: 36 wines tasted

The opaque ruby/purple 2005 Clinet offers incredibly fragrant aromatics, an opaque ruby/purple color, and a wonderfully sweet nose of flowers, blackberries, licorice, truffle and caramel. Full-bodied, powerful and rich, it is not as nuanced or complex as the top four or five Pomerols, but close. This is a broad, meaty, masculine, super-rich and concentrated wine, with lavish plum, blackcurrants and blackberries. Drink it five years from now, and over the following 30 or more years.

Welcoming ruby red in colour, this is the vintage of Pomerol that I suggest to anyone looking for a great wine to drink right now, as it's just at such a sweet spot. Clinet is right up there among the best of the appellation, still vibrant with cassis and fennel but showing the genersosity, leather and clove-studded damson and blackberry fruits that reflect the unhurried harvest of the year. Edges of dark chocolate and liqourice that are classic for the best wines of the appellation. First hints of tertiary, but this has many years ahead of it. Ronan Laborde owner, in his second vintage at the property. 60% new oak. Jane Anson April 2023 - Inside Bordeaux

I have never been totally convinced by the Château Clinet 2005. For sure it has an inviting floral bouquet with an intriguing marine influence – dark berry fruit, hints of black olive and brown spices. It opens gradually in the glass but never lets go completely. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, succulent tannin, well judged acidity but the finish just needs a little more focus and precision. That may come in time. It’s just a little drier at the end than I would have wanted. I would opt for more recent vintages from Ronan Laborde, such as the 2009, 2010 or 2011.

Dark red; caassis and black cherry to smell; rich, generous, classically fleshy Pomerol; fresh, finely tannic, long, sweet, even, complex and enormously satisfying with its fine charge of fruit, length of flavor and scented finish. Lovely quality. Now – 25+