Among the most sought-after names in Pomerol, the Château Clinet 2017 stands out for a noble expression of Merlot, crafted with precision and a nuanced reading of the terroir. This cuvée, rooted in the aesthetic of Bordeaux's fine wines, combines aromatic intensity, a precise touch and savoury depth. It appeals both to the enthusiast looking for a characterful bottle to elevate a gourmet table and to the collector who wants to enrich their cellar with a classic, elegant vintage that is immediately appealing while offering considerable ageing potential. Its purple robe with ruby highlights balances promise and restraint, while the bouquet, ample without ostentation, marries dark and red fruits with floral and spicy threads. The palate, medium-bodied, unfolds a velvety texture that is structured by firm, grainy tannins, extending into a long, clean and savoury finish. A high-quality Pomerol conceived for gastronomy and moments when the French art of living is invited with grace.

Blend and winemaking

This 2017 edition is based on a blend of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, a proportion that highlights the flesh and softness of the former while bringing the structural filament of the latter. Vinification, precise and respectful of the fruit’s identity, favours just the right extraction to preserve freshness and aromatic purity. The ageing was carried out with a keen sense of balance, in 72% new oak barrels to impart depth and complexity, complemented by 28% one-year-old barrels to preserve the fruit’s relief and floral brightness. This controlled dialogue between wood and matter refines the tannin grain, polishes the texture and signs a profile where density never overwhelms finesse. The result is a harmonious wine with an integrated oaky imprint, whose aromatic cadence evolves nicely with aeration, revealing additional nuances without losing its line or straightness.

Tasting notes

• Appearance: Deep purple with ruby highlights, clear and shiny, with fine regular tears indicating concentrated yet disciplined substance. The visual brilliance reflects precise ageing and perfectly managed fruit maturity.
• Nose: Opens on black cherry, plum and blackcurrant, lifted by redcurrant and a delicate bouquet of rose and violet. Notes of noble wood, a subtle smokiness, a touch of liquorice and a whisper of truffle intertwine with a fine mineral streak, composing a complex and refined trail.
• Palate: Gentle attack, mid-palate medium-bodied, with firm, finely grainy tannins and a velvety texture. The framework, balanced by an underlying freshness, stretches into a long, elegant finish, marked by the persistence of dark fruits, liquorice and a truffle note.

Serving temperature and tips

Serve this Pomerol between 16 and 18°C in large Bordeaux-style glasses to enhance texture and the complexity of the bouquet. Prior aeration, either in a decanter or by opening the bottle before service, will allow the oaky and floral nuances to integrate and gain depth. For storage, favour a cool cellar with stable humidity, stored on its side. The wine is already particularly harmonious, but it has cellaring potential of at least 5 more years, during which the tannins will further soften and tertiary notes, such as truffle and smoke, will develop gracefully.

Food pairings

• Aperitifs: charcuterie boards, comté gougères, forest-style toasts with black truffle for a savoury prelude that wraps its velvety thread.
• Starters: perfect egg with mushrooms, lightly truffled country terrine, beef carpaccio with parmesan shavings, which converse with its ripe fruit and contained freshness.
• Main courses: grilled ribeye, braised côte de boeuf, roast lamb with herbs, duck breast, as well as feathered game in season. The wine’s flesh embraces the meat juices and extends sapidity with a persistent finish.
• Cheeses: aged comté, tomme de Savoie, brie de Meaux, farm-style saint-nectaire. The structure smooths in contact with pressed cheeses and gains creaminess without losing its backbone.
• Desserts: can be paired with a thin tart of dark chocolate with low sugar, poached pears with warm spices or cocoa-prune entremets, for a finish that is soft and spiced.

Occasions

Château Clinet 2017 is the ideal companion:

• To celebrate an exceptional dinner where haute cuisine meets the elegance of a great Pomerol.
• At a gourmet gathering among knowledgeable enthusiasts, to share the precision of a classically balanced vintage.
• As a refined gift, intended to delight a collector or mark a special moment of the French art of living.

Characteristics

• Name : Château Clinet 2017 - Pomerol AOC
• Appellation : Pomerol AOC, Bordeaux
• Type : Red wine, Fine wines
• Vintage : 2017
• Grape varieties : Merlot 92%, Cabernet Sauvignon 8%
• Alcohol : 13,1%
• Ageing : 72% new oak barrels, 28% one-year barrels
• Profile : medium-bodied, velvety texture, firm tannins
• Cellaring : drink now, potential 5 years and more
• Serving temperature : 16–18°C