1988 Clinet
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Tasting notes
The 1988 Clinet is a rare wine nowadays with only a handful of bottles remaining at the winery. It has an aged, dusty bouquet at first, but it opens nicely in the glass to reveal undergrowth, tobacco and light bell pepper scents; hints of burning embers developing later. What it really lacks is fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannin, a fine bead of acidity but it is now beginning to show its bones with a leathery finish that suggests bottles ought to be consumed in the near future. Tasted at the château.
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Mid crimson. Looks really quite youthful! Sweet and luscious and really rather lovely now. Much more mellifluous than the 1991. Perfectly balanced and rich now. But with lots of life still to give. Attractive freshness on the finish. (JR)
The 1988 is a dazzling example of Clinet. Its color is a deep black/purple, and the bouquet exhibits the classic Pomerol scents of truffles, plums, subtle herbs, and new oak. The wine makes a huge impression, with a sweetness, rich extraction of fruit, and a full-bodied, opulent finish. This ripe, dense, fruity 1988 has shed its tannin quickly. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted, 6/93.
What a wild and exotic wine. Intense aromas of truffles and cèpe, with raspberry jam. Cigar tobacco as well. Full-bodied, with powerful flavors of raspberry jam and hints of cooked fruit, chocolate. Long and flavorful. Soft and seductive.¿'88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Drink now. 2,600 cases made. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 2009
About the producer
With Ronan Laborde at the helm, this property has become one of Pomerol’s most sought-after. He has increased the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, which historically represented half the vineyard area here.