Château Clinet, Ronan By Clinet Bordeaux Rouge, 2020
Château Clinet, Ronan By Clinet Bordeaux Rouge, 2020
- Red Still
- 75CL
- 14.5%
- Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
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Ronan by Clinet is the second label of Château Clinet, one of Pomerol's most respected addresses, offering an accessible route into the estate's style without the price tag or the patience required of the grand vin. The 2020 vintage, drawn from vineyards across the Right Bank, blends Merlot-led fruit with Cabernet Franc and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, delivering plush, generously fruited claret with real structural backbone.
2020 was a warm, dry growing season on the Right Bank that produced ripe, concentrated fruit with good natural acidity to balance the richness. This is a wine built for mid-term drinking, approachable now but capable of rewarding a few more years in the cellar as the tannins soften further and the fruit develops savoury depth.
In its current youthful phase the wine shows primary dark fruit and firm but ripe tannins, drinking well with an hour's decanting. Over the next two to three years the oak will integrate further and the tannins will continue to soften, bringing the fruit and structure into closer harmony. By around 2029-2030, expect the first hints of savoury, tertiary complexity such as leather and dried herb to emerge alongside the fruit. This is not a wine built for decades of ageing, so it is best enjoyed within its stated window rather than held indefinitely.
What the critics say:
"Rich aromas of plums, cherries and blackberries on the nose with nuances of oak. Well integrated tannins, mineral finish."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep ruby with a faint garnet edge, showing good density for its youth.
NoseRipe black cherry and plum sit alongside a touch of graphite and dried herb, with gentle toasty oak framing the fruit rather than dominating it.
PalateGenerous and fleshy, the Merlot-led core delivers dark fruit and a touch of cocoa, while Cabernet Franc lends lift and a savoury, leafy edge. Tannins are ripe and well-integrated, giving structure without harshness.
FinishMedium length, closing on warm spice and a faint mineral note.
Overall impressionA polished, generously fruited claret that drinks well now and has the balance to hold for several more years.
Food Pairings
Around Pomerol and the wider Libournais, Merlot-based reds like this are poured with the region's hearty, unfussy cooking: roast duck with cèpes, entrecôte grilled over vine cuttings, or confit duck legs with sautéed potatoes. Lamprey à la bordelaise, cooked slowly in red wine with leeks, is a local speciality that leans into the wine's richness. Simple roast chicken with a jus, or a well-aged Bordeaux cheese like a mature Comté, also suits the table here. Locals rarely overcomplicate the pairing, letting the wine's fruit and structure do the work alongside honest, slow-cooked dishes.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C, slightly cooler than room temperature, to keep the fruit vibrant. Decant for 30-45 minutes to soften the tannins and open up the aromatics, particularly if drinking within the next year or two. A classic Bordeaux glass with a generous bowl will best showcase the fruit and structure.
Fruit for Ronan by Clinet is sourced from vineyard sites across the Right Bank, including gravel, clay and sandy-clay soils typical of Pomerol and its surrounding appellations. These free-draining yet water-retentive soils encourage steady ripening and give Merlot its characteristic plushness. The maritime-influenced climate, moderated by the Gironde estuary, lends warmth during the growing season balanced by cooling influences that preserve freshness.
Ronan by Clinet is released as a Bordeaux AOC wine rather than under the Pomerol appellation, allowing the estate to source fruit more broadly across the Right Bank while retaining full winemaking control. Bordeaux AOC is the region's broadest appellation, covering red, white and rosé styles from anywhere within the designated zone, with far fewer yield and terroir restrictions than Pomerol itself. This gives the wine more flexibility of sourcing while still reflecting the ripe, Merlot-driven character the Right Bank is known for.
The 2020 Bordeaux vintage began with a wet winter that replenished water reserves after several dry years, followed by a warm, dry spring that encouraged early budbreak. A crucial dry spell during flowering ensured good fruit set, whilst the summer brought consistent warmth without excessive heat. September delivered ideal harvest conditions with cool nights preserving acidity and warm days concentrating flavours. The extended growing season allowed for careful selection, with many estates picking later than usual to achieve optimal ripeness across both banks.
This vintage produced wines of exceptional quality, with both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon performing admirably. The Left Bank Cabernets show impressive structure and depth, whilst Right Bank Merlots display rich fruit concentration balanced by fresh acidity. The wines combine power with elegance, offering approachable tannins that suggest earlier drinking potential than many recent vintages. Most 2020 Bordeaux will benefit from 3-5 years of cellaring to fully integrate, though the finest examples will reward patient collectors with 15-20 years of development ahead.
FAQs
Is Ronan by Clinet the same wine as Château Clinet?
No. Ronan by Clinet is a separate label created by the Château Clinet team, sourced from Right Bank vineyards beyond the Clinet estate itself, offering a similar style at a more accessible price.
What is the grape composition of the 2020 vintage?
It is a Merlot-dominant blend with Cabernet Franc and a smaller proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, typical of the Right Bank's approach to Bordeaux blends.
When should I drink this wine?
It can be enjoyed now and will continue to drink well until around 2034, with the sweet spot likely falling between 2027 and 2032 as the tannins fully soften.
Does this wine need decanting?
A short decant of 30 to 45 minutes is recommended to soften the tannins and release the aromatics, especially if opened in its earlier years.
How does this compare to the Pomerol grand vin?
Ronan by Clinet shares the house's ripe, fleshy style but is designed for earlier drinking and broader appeal, without the concentration or ageing potential of the Pomerol flagship.
What food suits this wine best?
Roast duck, braised beef, or a well-aged hard cheese all complement its fruit-forward, structured style.
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