France · Bordeaux

Chateau Clinet

Château Clinet is a Pomerol estate of 9 hectares, owned by the Laborde family and long associated with consultant Michel Rolland, whose influence transformed the estate from the 1980s onward. The grand vin is produced primarily from Merlot (85%) with Cabernet Franc (10%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%), harvested with maximum ripeness to produce Pomerol's most concentrated, hedonistic style. Across 1,231 auction lots averaging $203 per bottle, Clinet occupies a strong middle tier among Pomerol collectibles. The estate is famous for the 1989 vintage — arguably the most celebrated Pomerol of the 20th century alongside Pétrus — which scored 100 points from Parker and has traded above $2,000 per bottle at auction. Benchmark vintages beyond 1989 include 1990, 1998, 2000, 2009, 2010, and 2015. The second wine Fleur de Clinet trades at a significant discount. Current ownership under Ronan Laborde continues the style established under Rolland's consultancy. Clinet's combination of tiny production (approximately 25,000–30,000 bottles of grand vin), Parker-era cult status, and Pomerol's prestigious address makes it a reliable auction category with consistent demand. The estate's relatively small 9-hectare size limits both volume and variability, with the entire production coming from a single contiguous block.