Château Clinet

History of Château Clinet  

The history of Château Clinet has its roots in the early 17th century, when the de Gombault family began cultivating vines on these lands. However, it was at the end of the 18th century that the estate's viticultural vocation was fully confirmed. In 1785, the famous Belleyme map revealed a vineyard entirely dedicated to wine production.

At the beginning of the 19th century, Château Clinet changed hands and passed to the Arnaud family, who also owned the famous Petrus estate. This period marked a turning point in the history of the estate, 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 négociants who would invest time and effort to improve the quality of the wines.

The 1980s were a key period for Château Clinet, under the direction of Jean-Michel Arcaute, son-in-law of Georges Audy. He introduced revolutionary methods for the time, such as green harvesting and harvesting grapes at over-ripeness. These innovations enabled the estate to rise to the ranks of the finest in Pomerol.

In 1999, the estate was acquired by Jean-Louis Laborde, a passionate entrepreneur, who handed over management to his son Ronan Laborde in 2003. Under his direction, Château Clinet has continued its pursuit of perfection, with a vision firmly rooted in the future and eco-responsible practices.

The 1989 vintage of Château Clinet achieved perfection with a score of 100/100 awarded by Robert Parker. The 2018, 2016, 1990, 2015 and 2019 vintages also received remarkable scores of 97/100.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Clinet  

Château Clinet is ideally situated on the Pomerol plateau, benefiting from an exceptional terroir that endows its wines with their richness and intensity. The estate's 11 hectares of vines are planted on clay-gravel soils, with the presence of iron-rich subsoil, known as crasses de fer, typical of this renowned wine-growing region. This unique terroir gives the wines of Clinet a solid structure and great aromatic complexity.

The vineyard's grape composition highlights the flagship variety of the Bordeaux right bank, Merlot, which accounts for 85% of the planted surface. This variety lends the wines their silky texture and depth. This is complemented by 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, which adds an important tannic structure, and 5% Cabernet Franc, which contributes finesse and freshness to the wines. The vines have an average age of 42 years, yielding grapes of great concentration and quality.

The estate's privileged location, at an altitude of up to 35 metres, ensures good natural drainage, which is essential for grape quality. In 2022, Château Clinet expanded its vineyard with the acquisition of Château Lécuyer, some of whose plots have been incorporated into Clinet's cuvées.

Winemaking at Château Clinet  

The winemaking process at Château Clinet combines tradition and modernity, in harmony with the terroir. Each plot is vinified separately in truncated cone-shaped oak or stainless steel vats, allowing perfect control of fermentation and precise temperature management. This technical approach contributes to the complexity and diversity of the estate's wines.

Since 2014, Château Clinet has used 17 stainless steel vats for winemaking, enabling an even more refined plot-by-plot approach. The grapes are harvested by hand, ensuring a meticulous selection of berries to guarantee optimal wine quality. This attention to detail continues during the aging of the wines, which takes place in French oak barrels, with a 60% renewal each year. The wines spend between 18 and 22 months in barrel, a period during which they develop their tannic structure, aromatic complexity and exceptional aging potential.

The Cuvées of Château Clinet  

Château Clinet produces several remarkable cuvées, each reflecting the unique identity of the terroir and the grape varieties used.

Château Clinet

The estate's Fine Wine, made primarily from Merlot, with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, is renowned for its silky texture, aromas of ripe dark fruits, truffle and chocolate, and its powerful tannic structure. The finest vintages, such as 1989, 1990 and 2009, have received glowing reviews, including perfect scores from Robert Parker. The 2018 vintage is also regarded as a great success, combining elegance and depth.

Fleur de Clinet

The estate's second wine, introduced in 1997, offers an accessible entry point into the world of Château Clinet. This cuvée is crafted from the estate's younger vines and is characterized by its vibrant fruitiness, notes of truffle and its lush, pulpy texture. Approachable from an early age, Fleur de Clinet is a wine that seduces with its balance and indulgent character.

Ronan By Clinet 

This cuvée, launched under the initiative of Ronan Laborde, offers an accessible yet elegant Bordeaux wine that reflects the expertise and know-how of Château Clinet. Available in both red and white versions, this range is aimed at a wider audience while retaining the estate's commitment to quality.

Pomerol, one of the most prestigious appellations of Bordeaux, has produced some of the finest wines over the decades. The most remarkable vintages include 1970, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1990, recognized for their complexity and longevity. Other exceptional years such as 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010 continue to enchant lovers of great wines. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have confirmed Pomerol's ability to deliver wines of exceptional quality, further cementing the reputation of this appellation among the greatest in Bordeaux.

Discover the other great châteaux of Pomerol, true treasures of the right bank, where each estate vies for excellence. Beyond the mythical 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, or Vieux Château Certan. These estates, often compared to the grands crus classés of Saint-Émilion, offer a unique experience, rich in finesse and character, sure to delight lovers of great wines. 

Château Clinet stands today as one of the most prestigious wine estates in Pomerol. With a centuries-old history, cutting-edge viticultural practices and an exceptional terroir, this estate continues to produce wines of outstanding quality. Whether to savour a recent vintage or to invest in a fine wine for aging, the cuvées of Château Clinet delight lovers of great wines thanks to their elegance, complexity and generosity. The Laborde family's constant commitment to combining tradition and modernity guarantees Château Clinet a prime place in the landscape of the great wines of Bordeaux. The care taken at every stage of production, from work in the vines to winemaking, makes Clinet an essential reference for enthusiasts and collectors of great wines.