Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London and then later at the chateau.The 2006 Chateau Clinet has a nose that appears to have reached maturity. Red berry fruit, red cherries, a touch of fig jam coming through with aeration. It is not as complex as the top tier vintages from Ronan Laborde and his team, yet there is charm in spades. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannin, grippy in the mouth and with an almost crunchy, cracked black pepper finish that is a little more reserved than I was expecting. I would personally open bottles of the 2006 over the next 10-15 years. Tasted March 2016.

Extremely backward, firm, and virile, this macho wine exhibits full-bodied power, a dense blackberry, smoky nose, huge tannins, but impressive stuffing and depth. This is not for the faint of heart, and also not for those who need immediate drinkability. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2027.

Pretty raspberry, mineral and vanilla aromas and flavors, with hints of dried herbs. Full-bodied, with good, silky tannins and a long finish that shows lots of raspberry and cherry fruit. Attractive and balanced for the vintage. Best after 2013. 2,915 cases made. -JS