Vintage Character 2016 in Bordeaux was a year of two extremes, wet through the first half and dry through the second. A warm, wet winter and spring filled the water tables before a hot, dry summer, and the harvest was unhurried. The Right Bank produced ripe, structured wines that are not as immediate as the 2015s. In 2016, the Ronan by Clinet from Château Clinet reflects that season. Ronan by Clinet is an AOC Bordeaux red with Merlot as its base.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairing Plum, black cherry and blackcurrant lead, with soft spice and cocoa. It is dry, full-bodied, with medium-high acidity and high tannins. The palate is round and generous, with soft tannins and a smooth finish. It is made to be enjoyed within a few years of release. Roast pork, braised beef and mushroom dishes suit it. Serve at about 16 to 18 degrees Celsius in a wide glass, and decant a young bottle for a short time if you like. This is a 3-litre large-format bottle, suited to sharing and to long ageing. It is supplied in an original wooden case. Merlot gives plush, round fruit and softer tannins, and it is the leading grape of Pomerol and the Right Bank. Firm cheeses such as Comté also work, as do soy-braised dishes that are not too sweet.
Winery Background Ronan by Clinet is a Bordeaux label from Château Clinet, a leading Pomerol estate that sits at one of the highest points of the plateau. The label is named after Ronan Laborde, the current owner, and a character named Ronan has appeared on the label since 2016. It brings Clinet's know-how to an AOC Bordeaux of spontaneous, generous character made from selected vineyards. The range also includes a rosé alongside the red and the white. The brand's own account describes hillside vineyards near Bordeaux, where vines share the land with fruit trees and livestock. Château Clinet takes its name from a medieval vigneron who worked the terroir, and it has one of the oldest vineyards in Pomerol.