CHÂTEAU CLINET
2024 Pomerol
80 Merlot, 20 Cabernet Sauvignon: 60% new oak: 13% alc: 38 hl/ha: 49000 bottles produced: Merlot was harvested between 23 and 27 September and the Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested on 3 & 4 October I loved Ronan Laborde’s expressions that his wine was made from “Good sun rays as opposed to heat”. There is nothing hot or spicy about this extraordinarily sleek and elegant wine. With decent yields (43 hl/ha across the property and 38 hl/ha for the Grand Vin 38), Clinet has hit the jackpot of both a healthy and top-quality crop. With Pomerol’s average around the 33 hl/ha mark and many producers far below this, it is no surprise that Ronan and Monique are smiling. They picked a little later, but quicker than many here and then, as was the norm in 2024, sorted vigorously to eliminate any substandard fruit. The result is a wine with tremendous beauty and potential. It is hard to move beyond the perfume, which is simply stunning. “Neo-classical” is a lazy descriptor, but if you are familiar with the great vintages of this wine and give this template a gleaming polish and a sense of optimism, this is how I would describe 2024 Clinet to a fan. Some Clinet vintages appear to have one block of impressive flavour that gradually breaks down and organises itself over the years, but in 2024, there is considerable complexity from the start. While the aroma and palate are gloriously plummy and floral, there is thrilling acidity, which brings a sense of tension and a refreshing stance to the finish. It appears to carry out a magical flourish of feeling succulent and alluring while also engendering a dramatic and commanding set of tannins. This is one of the finest young Clinets I have ever tasted because intricate detail and lip-smacking lusciousness are in perfect harmony. Rating: 19+/20 Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Jun 2025)
In Bond
75cl bottles (wood case of 6)
* This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.
80 M 20 CS 13% Rich and brooding aromas with dense violet. Inky and very Pomerol without any leanness. This is full and very rich in the mouth with spicy tannins, freshness and depth. Long finish with rich and vibrant black fruit. This already has silkiness and creaminess on the palate with a distinct milk chocolate touch. Very good and very Pomerol. Rating: 94 Rod Smith MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2025)
Rich sweet damson and raspberry fruit, vanilla bean, caramel, the gourmet side of Pomerol is checking in, which we have missed in many, the tannins are sleek and well extracted, no dilution through the palate, good job. No need to wait too long - a good introduction to this property. 35hl/ha yield. Ronan Laborde owner. Tasted twice. Drinking range: 2029 - 2040 Rating: 92 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2025)
The 2024 Clinet was picked from September 23 to October 4 at 38 hl/ha and matured in 60% new oak. The bouquet opens with red and black fruit, pencil shavings from the Cabernet and light tertiary scents in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. The oak is neatly integrated and benefits from slightly less new wood, which allows the terroir to show through. Cohesive toward the finish with decent length, this is a thoughtfully produced Clinet that will age well in bottle. Drinking range: 2029 - 2050 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2025)
A full-bodied young red with blackberries, lemons, chewy tannins and a fresh finish. There’s an earthy, terroir-drive vibe at the end. Solid. Well done. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2025)
The 2024 Clinet is a dark, stylish wine. Black cherry, lavender, spice, licorice and blue-toned fruit are beautifully delineated. Dark and vibrant in the glass, with terrific depth, Clinet is super-expressive in 2024. Ronan Laborde bled the musts to bring the wine into the rich, textured style he seeks here. Clinet is a rare Pomerol that is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the Cabernet very much in evidence. Drinking range: 2034 - 2054 Rating: 92-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2025)
Château Clinet
Château Clinet lies at the heart of Pomerol on a bed of Günz gravel. Now owned by Jean-Louis Laborde who, in 2003, appointed his 23 year old son as Estate Managing Director. Improvements implemented by the previous owners, the Audy family, have been strengthened by the Labordes and they continue to employ the services of Michel Rolland. Only 9ha of vineyard, planted with 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, with vines at 40 years old. Grapes are hand-harvested, and the wines aged in 60% new wood barriques, with the balanced being just one year old.
Please make sure that you have read the terms of this offer which are different from those on the main website. If you are unclear as to what is involved in primeur purchases please do contact our private client team via email or on 020 7018 0187.
Ordering
Prices are all in bond by the case size stated.
Pre-Orders are a firm commitment to buy wines on release, as long as the release price is within the upper and lower price bands set by you on the pre-order form. Pre-orders will be fulfilled subject to availability but providing this firm commitment to buy effectively gives you priority and is a good idea for the most desirable wines.
Wines listed on the website can be ordered in the usual way via the website wishlist order form. You can also send orders directly to our private client team via email. Please note that, for the most sought-after wines, priority will be given to those who ordered the same wines last year and to those that have pre-ordered.
Confirmation
All orders will be confirmed by email and are binding unless written cancellation is received within seven days of email confirmation. Pre-orders are not binding if the release price is above your upper price band.
Invoices are all raised at the in bond price (excluding any duty and VAT) which will become payable at the prevailing rates when the wines arrive in the UK, should you wish to take duty paid delivery.
Payment is required on sight of invoice, by cash, cheque, debit card or bank transfer. We regret we cannot accept credit cards for en primeur orders. We reserve the right to apply a dunning charge of 2% per month on invoices unpaid after 30 days.
Delivery
- Shipment to our bond (at LCB Creek Road) and insurance are included in the in bond price.
- Delivery is free to Lea and Sandeman / Elephant storage accounts, both duty paid and in bond.
- Other deliveries (In Bond and Duty Paid) are also free subject to a minimum order from the offer of £500. Orders below this total will be charged an administration and handling fee of £16.50+ VAT when invoices are issued. We will group deliveries and this is a charge for your entire purchases, not a per-case charge.
- Delivery of 2024 Bordeaux bought en primeur is expected during 2026. Delivery dates may vary as wines are shipped from Bordeaux at different times.
Practical notes - how it works
We start a sale in each customer's name and add all their primeur orders to one sale which is invoiced at the end of the campaign (or when the customer wishes). Immediate payment of invoices is then required by cash, cheque, debit card or bank transfer. We and our customers find that having a single invoice for the vintage is the simpler option but please note that confirmed orders are still binding even if the final invoice has not yet been issued.
Please specify on your wishlist order form where you would like the wines shipped on arrival in the UK. If this is to a third-party bonded warehouse, please specify the relevant account details. If the wines are required duty-paid we will issue a second invoice for duty and VAT at the prevailing rate when the wines are available for delivery.
Half-bottles, Magnums and larger bottles.
One of the additional advantages of buying en primeur is being able to order the wine in the format you want. Many properties specify a standard case format, and may make additional charges for six-bottle cases, for example. We offer wood cases of six bottles as standard where these are available without extra charge, but we can source wines in any format that is offered by the Château. If you want six-bottle cases where a 12 bottle case is offered, please check for the extra case charge. Please note that format requests cannot be changed once wines have been invoiced. Additional charges for special formats do apply and are as follows:-
- +£18.00 per case of 12 half-bottles
- +£30.00 per case of 24 half-bottles
- +£9.50 per case of 3 Magnums (2 bottles equivalent, 1.5 litres each)
- +£11.00 per case of 6 Magnums
- +£45.00 per individually boxed Double Magnum (4 bottles equivalent, 3 litres)
- +£60.00 per individually boxed Imperial (8 bottles equivalent, 6 litres) for Salmanazars, Balthazars, Nebuchadnezzars and Melchiors please enquire for availability and price.
Storage Options:
Wines bought en primeur won't arrive in the UK until 2027. If you do not wish to take home delivery at that point, you may wish to consider where you would like the wines shipped. Lea & Sandeman offers duty paid and in bond storage through a dedicated storage company called Elephant Storage. For more details on the terms and fees associated with storage please go to our Storage Homepage or contact our private client team for more information.