(96-98 points) 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.

(96-98 points) Deep in color, the wine exudes aromas of licorice, flowers, black cherries, espresso, plums, herbs, and chocolate with a single swirl. The palate is even better, with waves of opulent, lush, soft, polished, expressive, and fresh fruit. The balance among depth, sweetness, flesh, and lift is exactly where it needs to be. The finish is defined by the intensity of the vibrant fruit on the palate, depth of flavor, and purity. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14% ABV, 3.65 pH. Harvesting took place September 4 September 17. This is the earliest harvest in the history of the estate. Yields were 34 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2029-2060. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2025&wine=Chateau%20Clinet

(96-98 points) 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. - Neal Martin

(94-97 points) Fine and precise fruit. Well made and classic with a spicy and crunchy backbone of well defined fruit and dark cherries, this wine is in full balance and is very impressive. The long fruity aftertaste makes you want to try more of this great wine. It should develop along classical lines.

(94-95 points) 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.

(93-95 points) 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.

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).

(91-93 points) Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Clinet starts off with pronounced notes of cedar and Chinese five spice, giving way to a core of preserved plums and baked black cherries, plus a waft of dried roses. The medium- to full-bodied palate is wearing a lot of oak right now with stewed black fruit flavors and a chewy texture, finishing with just enough freshness.

Concentrated and intense, dried figs, high spice, freshly cut herbs, incense, cardamon, dried rose petal, pot pourri, this has fragrance that builds thorugh the palate, plenty of tannic grip that just flirts with being dry. A concentrated Clinet with impact. 30 hl/ha. Tasted twice. Ronan Laborde owner.