Tasted at BI Wine & Spirits' 10-Years-On tasting, the 2007 Clinet offers attractive kirsch, black cherry, leather and game on the nose, a touch of truffle and peppermint emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a gamy, leathery entry, a healthy pinch of black pepper lacing the black fruit, leading to a surprisingly structured and masculine finish. Unlike some of its Pomerol peers, I can see this Clinet holding up and even improving over the next decade. This was a very positive showing. Tasted February 2017.

One of the finest Pomerols of the vintage, Clinet's 2007 reveals an impressive display of chocolate-infused black cherry and blackberry fruit intertwined with hints of truffles and incense. It is a dense, medium to full-bodied, well-built effort with sweet tannin as well as surprising richness and length. This beauty, a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc, can be drunk now or cellared for 10-15 years. It was made from yields of 35 hectoliters per hectare, and the natural alcohol is a remarkable 14%.

Shows blackberry and olive on the nose. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and sweet, ripe fruit for the vintage. Balanced and pretty. Best after 2012. 2,915 cases made. -JS

Generous, fruity nose of plums and black cherry. Silky and poised tannins. Very easy-drinking now - a fine example.