By Clinet, Pomerol 2020

Château Clinet is synonymous with top-tier Pomerol, and their 'By Clinet' cuvée offers a taste of that pedigree without the hefty price tag. Made by the same expert team as their Grand Vin, it's crafted with the same level of care and precision. The 2020 blend, 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, spends 12 months in second-use oak barrels, letting the ripe fruit take centre stage. Expect aromas of cherry and plum with a hint of florals, a silky texture, and soft tannins. The finish is elegant and lingers very pleasantly indeed.

Ideal for early drinking, this pairs beautifully with Breton lamb and seaweed butter or lamb noisettes with cider reduction, balancing its silky texture and ripe fruit charmingly.

Château Clinet, one of Pomerol's oldest estates with records going back to the late 1500s, is not to be confused with its neighbours l'Eglise Clinet or Feytit-Clinet. While a venerable property, its rise to prominence is more recent. Jean-Michel Arcaute began improvements in the late 70s, and Ronan Laborde has built on that since taking over in the 2000s. The estate's 11 hectares of vines, fairly substantial for Pomerol, are planted on some of the appellation's finest land. Today, its reputation is as strong as ever, sometimes even being mentioning in the same breath as the likes of Pétrus and Lafleur.