The eagerly awaited debut of Château Clinet 2023 is here, signaling a notable milestone in this season's Bordeaux En Primeur campaign.
Priced at GBP 690 (EUR 810) per 12×75, this modern, stylish Pomerol has garnered significant attention for its expressive characteristics and competitive pricing.
The wine critic Antonio Galloni awarded it a barrel score of 94-96 points, emphasizing its contemporary appeal and complex flavor profile.
Critical Acclaim and Tasting Notes
Château Clinet 2023 has been lauded by several notable wine critics, reflecting a broad consensus on its quality and potential:
- Antonio Galloni (Vinous): Describing it as a 'modern, stylish Pomerol,' Galloni highlighted its expressive notes of graphite, lavender, crushed rocks, and pencil shavings. He awarded it a score range of 94-96 points, underscoring its substantial and lingering finish.
- Neal Martin (Vinous): Martin praised the wine for its delightful and composed nature, bestowing it with a barrel score of 93-95 points.
- Jane Anson: Awarding a solid 95 points, Anson appreciated its well-judged appellation typicity and floral kick on the finish.
- William Kelley (The Wine Advocate): Kelley echoed the sentiments of routine success at Château Clinet, giving the wine a score of 94-95 points for its modern style.
- James Lawther MW (Jancis Robinson): Offering a perspective on balance and freshness, Lawther rated it 17/20 points, noting that while it may not be the most concentrated Clinet, it stands out for its balanced profile.
Pricing Analysis and Market Position
This year’s release of Château Clinet 2023 at EUR 57.6 per bottle ex-négociant marks a notable decrease of 29.4% from the 2022 release price of EUR 81.60. Correspondingly, its international market offering at GBP 690 (EUR 810) per 12×75 is down 29.6% from the previous year’s opening price of GBP 980 (EUR 1,151) per 12×75.
According to the Liv-ex Fair Value methodology, the market prices of Château Clinet are significantly correlated (71.8%) with scores from Neal Martin. The 2023 release price positions it below the Fair Value line, indicating a compelling opportunity for those able to secure an allocation. For those unable to do so, back vintages present viable alternatives:
- Château Clinet 2020: With similar scores from Neal Martin and two years in bottle, this vintage offers a slight premium of 4.2% over the 2023 price (GBP 720 or EUR 846 per 12×75), yet remains an attractive option given its proximity to Fair Value.
- Higher-scoring Vintages: The 2015 and 2018 vintages, while available at higher premiums, also present fair value propositions due to their higher scores and established reputations.
Conclusion
The release of Château Clinet 2023 is a pivotal event for enthusiasts and investors alike. With critical acclaim emphasizing its modern, expressive qualities and a competitive release price, it stands out in the current market. The drop in price from the 2022 vintage not only makes it an appealing purchase but also underscores its fair value status. For those exploring alternatives, the 2020 vintage and other high-scoring back vintages provide worthy considerations.
Source: Liv-ex