I would argue that the most exciting wines of the twentieth century are the 1947 Pomerols. Although the 1947s from Petrus and Lafleur (both perfect wines) were not included in the Rodenstock tasting, the wines tasted exemplify the number of exhilarating, decadent, and sumptuous wines produced by this tiny appellation.
Clinet made so many mediocre wines in the sixties, seventies, and early eighties that it is easy to believe that the first top wines produced by this estate were the 1987 and 1988. However, as persuasively demonstrated by this magnum of 1947 Clinet, this vineyard has always possessed the potential to produce remarkable wines. In this flight, it was one of the most powerful, concentrated wines, as well as one of the youngest in terms of pure, youthful exuberance. Rich and dense, with an opaque garnet/purple color, this fragrant, intensely rich, over-ripe Clinet exhibited a huge, opulent texture, magnificent concentration and purity, and a long, blockbuster finish with some tannin still lurking behind the wine's massive extract. It should drink well for another 25-30 years.
The notes for this wine are taken from the description of Series III - Flight A of the 1995 tasting conducted in Munich by Helga and Hardy Rodenstock. Many years after the tasting from which this note derives allegations were made concerning the authenticity of old and rare bottles of wine sold by Hardy Rodenstock to collectors around the world. The matter has been the subject of numerous articles, litigation and at least one book. Mr. Parker believes that the wines served to him at this tasting were authentic so this note and the others from that specific tasting continue to be posted on eRobertParker.com.