Clinet 2002 5000ml

100 POINTS

Robert Parker - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 1989's aroma (believe it or not, the first bottle in the blind tasting was badly corked) jumps from the glass, offering up pure scents of flowers, black-raspberries, currants, vanillin, and truffles. Full-bodied, with a seamless texture, fabulous concentration, a massive degree of richness, but no heaviness or awkwardness, this remains one of the most profound young wines I have ever tasted. Its sweetness of fruit and layers of flavor, combined with its remarkable texture are the stuff of legends. Both of these wines are approachable (their high Merlot content ensures them softness), yet they remain largely unevolved. If readers like them young, do not hesitate to drink a bottle or two. Ideally, both the 1989 and 1990 vintages will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring. Given the 1989's additional flavor extraction and length, it is a 25-30-year wine. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2030.

Wine Spectator

Slightly stewed, but with good berry and herb character. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a fruity finish. Comes clean on the palate. Delicious. Best after 2007.

Stephen Tanzer - Vinous

Deep red-ruby. Complex aromas of black fruits, minerals and flowers. Sweet, supple and nuanced, with slightly wild flavors of raspberry, leather, game, mint and herbs. Conveys a strong impression of soil tones. Has personality but finishes a tad dry.

Robert Parker - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

This soft, deep ruby/plum-colored effort exhibits notions of herbs, cassis, cherries, and flowers. While medium-bodied, harmonious, and well-made, it lacks the power and concentration of Clinet’s top vintages. Consume it over the next decade.

Stephen Tanzer - Vinous

Red-ruby. Aromas of black raspberry, dark chocolate and coffee, with some rustic suggestions of leather and surmaturite; reminded me of a Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape. Flavors of musky berries, leather and coffee, along with some leafy greenness that gives the fruit a somewhat raw quality. Finishes with slightly drying tannins. A disjointed sample, not showing the silkiness the wine displayed last spring.

Stephen Tanzer - Vinous

(80% merlot with 15% cabernet sauvignon and 5% cabernet franc) Deep ruby-red. Exotic nose combines black raspberry, cocoa powder, meat, mocha and brown spices. Silky, sweet and rich, with enticing, smoky flavors of musky wild berries, game and coffee bean. Finishes with fine, tongue-dusting, slightly dry tannins and good length. This will merit a score at the high end of my range if elevage gives it more grip.

Jancis Robinson

Distinctive wine, much lighter than most. Solid crimson with pale rim. Very plump, rich Merlot-like sweet aromas. Then rather high acidity and not that much body. Refreshing in the way that a north-east Italian Cabernet is but not a plump right-bank claret. Very dry finish. Score: 15.5/NaN

Jancis Robinson

Bright crimson. Lively and light with some dancing quality. Very fragrant and mellifluous. Nice drink now. Neat finish. Score: 16.5/NaN