CLINET 2012

A wine I've had multiple times, the 2012 Clinet is a rich, beautifully pure effort that has terrific notes of black currants, plums, charred earth, licorice and smoke. Luxuriously textured, full-bodied, impeccably balanced and incredibly sexy on the palate, this is a fabulous Pomerol that I'd happily drink anytime over the coming 15-20 years.

Opaque purple. Very ripe, slightly high-toned aromas of black cherry, roasted plum, licorice and violet, plus a hint of coffee. Supple on entry, then increasingly firm in the middle, but with enough creaminess of texture to the dark berry and spicy oak flavors to avoid seeming excessively over-extracted. Still, this wine's serious tannins currently cut off its fruit, leaving an impression of chunkiness and rigid structure.

With a dense purple color and gorgeous levels of fruit, especially black raspberry and blackcurrant, this full-bodied, opulent style of wine is another great success for Clinet, a château that has been on top of its game for the last decade. This is stunning stuff, and whatever new oak has been used – and there is plenty – it is totally disguised by the luxurious and extravagant fruit level. This full-bodied, opulent Pomerol should drink well for 15 or more years.