Another resounding success for the vintage, the opaque purple-colored 2008 Clinet (14.4% alcohol) is composed of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Yields of 38 hectoliters per hectare, while higher than in 2010, were still modest. Another powerful, big, large-scaled effort, the 2008 exhibits an inky/purple color as well as sweet creme de cassis, blackberry, plum, Asian spice, licorice and incense notes. Layered and full-bodied with stunning purity and a 40+ second finish, this beauty needs 3-5 years of bottle age and should keep for 25-30 years.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #194, May 2011)

This is the first bottle of Clinet ’98 to show a little reduction, although it improves with aeration and offers some lovely cassis and iodine scents that waft enticingly from the glass. The palate is very concentrated, more so than the VCC, though it does not possess quite the same poise and focus on the finish. This is a controlled Clinet, one with its harness and blinkers on, and it shows great potential however. Tasted June 2013.

– eRobertParker.com, Nov 2013