Professional reviews
Robert Parker (94)
93-95
Less marked by oak than in recent vintages, the 2025 Clinet reveals a refined bouquet of cedar, dark berries, spice and fresh licorice. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and layered, it’s broad-shouldered yet more tensile than usual, built around a structured core of fruit and concluding with a long, perfumed finish. Reflecting the vintage in its balance between density and approachability, it remains true to the estate’s style, with a firm, robust frame. It will benefit from some years in bottle to fully harmonize. This is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.
James Suckling (95)
94-95
A composed, well-structured and precise Pomerol showcasing red berries and baking spices on the nose. Full-bodied with plush tannins and fresh acidity. There is energy at the center despite the solid frame of tannins shaping the midpalate. Focused and driven finish.
Jancis Robinson (17)
Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque core, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Black berry fruit, nuances of precious wood, delicate hints of cassis, a hint of cloves. Powerful, tightly woven, some vanilla and nougat, ripe tannins, sticks well, salty touch on the finish, mineral aftertaste.
Vinous (97)
96-98
The 2025 Clinet was the earliest picking ever, from September 4, and aged in 60% new oak plus 40% one-year-old barrels. Vintages now have a little more Cabernet Sauvignon, as a hectare of Merlot was uprooted. Now this has a delightful nose, perhaps the most elegant and refined that I have encountered at this stage: vivid red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry scents, neatly embroidered oak, more floral in style. The palate is medium-bodied with chiselled, fine tannins, bright and tensile, exquisite focus, with a peacock's tail on the finish. Quite crystalline on the finish, this is a Clinet that I would like in my cellar. Or at the dinner table. Or in my glass.
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
96-98
Dense purple-hued, the 2025 Château Clinet is a ripe, sumptuous, and seamless beauty with so much to love. Ripe red, blue, and black fruits, violets, smoky tobacco, and chocolate all shine on the nose, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with a pure, layered, graceful mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It shows just how successful the more clay-dominant soils of Pomerol were in this vintage, and it's unquestionably up with the crème de la crème of the vintage.
Decanter (94)
Lots of fragrant floral aromatics on the nose, smells so vivid and expressive along with mint, blackcurrant leaf, pepper and tobacco. Supple and generous, immediately both energetic and plush with great tannins, great lift and focus. Joyful and full of red berry juice with chalky tannins that fill the mouth. Spice comes in on the finish. Plump yet also has an element of cool crispness. I like this – it’s elegant and refined while still being mouthwatering and juicy. Great stuff that makes you smile. Salty with a slightly reserved nature but still giving such flavour and complexity. Earliest ever harvest (started 4 September). A yield of 34hl/ha. Ageing 100% in oak (60% new).
Falstaff (94)
Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque core, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Black berry fruit, nuances of precious wood, delicate hints of cassis, a hint of cloves. Powerful, tightly woven, some vanilla and nougat, ripe tannins, sticks well, salty touch on the finish, mineral aftertaste.
