Château Clinet

The History of Château Clinet  

Château Clinet’s history dates back to the early 17th century, when the de Gombault family began growing vines on this land. It was not until the late 18th century, however, that the estate’s focus on winemaking became firmly established. In 1785, the famous Belleyme map showed a vineyard devoted entirely to wine production.

In the early 19th century, Château Clinet changed hands and passed to the Arnaud family, who also owned the renowned Domaine Petrus. This period marked a turning point in the estate’s history, laying the foundations for a tradition of quality. After several changes of ownership during the 19th century, the estate was acquired in 1908 by the Audy family, Bordeaux wine merchants who invested time and effort in improving the wines’ quality.

The 1980s were a pivotal period for Château Clinet under the leadership of Jean-Michel Arcaute, Georges Audy’s son-in-law. Arcaute introduced methods that were revolutionary at the time, including green harvesting and picking overripe grapes. These innovations helped elevate the estate among Pomerol’s finest.

In 1999, the estate was acquired by Jean-Louis Laborde, a passionate entrepreneur who handed management over to his son Ronan Laborde in 2003. Under Ronan’s leadership, Château Clinet continues its pursuit of perfection with a forward-looking vision and environmentally responsible practices.

Château Clinet’s 1989 vintage achieved a perfect 100/100 from Robert Parker. The 2018, 2016, 1990, 2015, and 2019 vintages also earned remarkable scores of 97/100.

Château Clinet’s Terroirs and Vineyards  

Château Clinet enjoys a prime location on the Pomerol plateau, where an exceptional terroir gives its wines richness and intensity. The estate’s 11 hectares of vines grow on clay-gravel soils with iron-rich deposits beneath the surface, typical of this renowned wine region. This distinctive terroir gives Clinet’s wines firm structure and great aromatic complexity.

The vineyard’s plantings highlight Merlot, the signature grape of Bordeaux’s Right Bank, which accounts for 85% of the planted area. It gives the wines their silky texture and depth. Cabernet Sauvignon makes up another 10%, adding substantial tannic structure, while the remaining 5% is Cabernet Franc, contributing finesse and freshness. The vines average 42 years of age, producing grapes of great concentration and quality.

The estate’s advantageous position, at elevations of up to 35 meters, provides good natural drainage, essential to grape quality. In 2022, Château Clinet expanded its vineyard by acquiring Château Lécuyer, incorporating some of its parcels into Clinet’s cuvées.

Winemaking at Château Clinet  

Winemaking at Château Clinet combines tradition and modernity while respecting the terroir. Each parcel is vinified separately in tapered oak or stainless steel vats, allowing close management of fermentation and precise temperature control. This approach contributes to the complexity and diversity of the estate’s wines.

Since 2014, Château Clinet has used 17 stainless steel tanks for winemaking, allowing an even more precise parcel-by-parcel approach. The grapes are harvested by hand, enabling careful berry selection to ensure the best possible wine quality. This attention to detail continues through aging in French oak barrels, 60% of which are replaced each year. The wines spend 18 to 22 months in barrel, developing their tannic structure, aromatic complexity, and exceptional aging potential.

Château Clinet’s Cuvées  

Château Clinet produces several remarkable cuvées, each reflecting the distinctive character of its terroir and grape varieties.

Château Clinet

The estate’s fine wine, made primarily from Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, is known for its silky texture, aromas of ripe dark fruit, truffle, and chocolate, and powerful tannic structure. The best vintages, including 1989, 1990, and 2009, have received glowing reviews, including perfect scores from Robert Parker. The 2018 vintage is also considered a great success, combining elegance and depth.

Fleur de Clinet

The estate’s second wine, introduced in 1997, offers an affordable introduction to Château Clinet. Made from the estate’s younger vines, this cuvée features vibrant fruit, notes of truffle, and a plush texture. Approachable from an early age, Fleur de Clinet charms with its balance and inviting fruitiness.

Ronan By Clinet 

Launched at Ronan Laborde’s initiative, this cuvée offers an accessible yet elegant Bordeaux wine that reflects Château Clinet’s expertise and craftsmanship. Available in red and white, the range appeals to a wider audience while retaining the estate’s commitment to quality.

Pomerol, one of Bordeaux’s most prestigious appellations, has produced some of the finest wines over the decades. Its most remarkable vintages include 1970, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1990, renowned for their complexity and longevity. Other exceptional years, such as 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010 continue to delight fine-wine enthusiasts. More recently, the 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages have confirmed Pomerol’s ability to produce wines of exceptional quality, cementing its reputation among Bordeaux’s greatest appellations.

Discover the other great châteaux of Pomerol, true treasures of the Right Bank, where every estate strives for excellence. Beyond the legendary Pétrus, explore prestigious names such as Beauregard, Bon Pasteur, Clinet, Gazin, Haut Trochaud, L’Eglise Clinet, La Conseillante, La Fleur Pétrus, Lafleur, Le Pin, Latour à Pomerol, Nénin, Trotanoy, and Vieux Château Certan. Often compared with the classified growths of Saint-Émilion, these estates offer a distinctive experience, rich in finesse and character, sure to delight fine-wine enthusiasts. 

Château Clinet is now regarded as one of Pomerol’s most prestigious wine estates. With a centuries-long history, advanced vineyard practices, and an exceptional terroir, the estate continues to produce wines of outstanding quality. Whether you want to savor a recent vintage or invest in a fine wine for aging, Château Clinet’s cuvées delight fine-wine enthusiasts with their elegance, complexity, and generosity. The Laborde family’s enduring commitment to combining tradition and modernity ensures Château Clinet a prominent place among Bordeaux’s great wines. The care taken at every stage of production, from tending the vines to winemaking, makes Clinet a must for fine-wine enthusiasts and collectors.