Pomerol Charm from the Team Behind Château Clinet

Expressive fruit, supple tannins and a savoury thread: By Clinet offers an inviting route into Pomerol with the expertise of one of the appellation's best-known names behind it. This 2020 is a bottle to put at the centre of a considered dinner, especially when a beautifully cooked beef tenderloin is on the menu.

My Wine Man on Clinet

Château Clinet is a distinguished name on Bordeaux's Right Bank, associated with Pomerol's combination of fruit generosity, texture and finesse. By Clinet is a separate Pomerol bottling, not the château's grand vin and not Fleur de Clinet, its estate second wine. That distinction matters: its appeal is an accessible expression of the appellation crafted by the Clinet team.

Created to bring together the three different terroir types that characterise Pomerol, By Clinet draws on selected growers, including Château Clinet. Vinification and ageing are handled by the same team as the grand vin, with second-fill barrels used to bring out aromatic freshness and finesse. For us, it is the balance of pedigree and approachability that makes this wine worth seeking out.

Tasting Notes

The house's By Clinet profile is deep garnet, with dried red-fruit and prune aromas complemented by a truffle-like savoury note. On the palate, cranberry, redcurrant and fresh plum bring a brighter fruit register, with a hint of fresh hazelnut adding detail. Expect an expressive, generous Pomerol style with gentle tannins and a rounded, balanced feel rather than a wine built around hard-edged structure.

Style & Drinking Window

A Merlot-led Pomerol with medium- to full-bodied presence, supple tannins and an emphasis on aromatic richness and accessibility. Our suggested drinking window for this 2020 is 2026–2032 with good storage, enjoying it now for its fruit and texture or allowing further time for savoury complexity. Decant for around 30–60 minutes, tasting as it opens rather than giving it an unnecessarily long aeration. Serve at 16–18°C in a generous red-wine glass.

Food Pairing

The rounded plum fruit, redcurrant freshness and supple tannins of the 2020 Chateau Clinet 'By Clinet' Pomerol make it an elegant match for Australian Frozen Grass Fed Cape Grim Tenderloin Primal from My Meat Man. The wine's red-fruit flavours complement the beef's delicate savoury character and tender, lean texture beautifully, while its truffle-like and hazelnut notes suit a browned crust or mushroom accompaniment, whether roasted whole with herbs, cut into medallions and pan-seared, or portioned into fillet steaks for the grill.

Keep the seasoning simple and let the beef lead. Rest before carving and serve with the cooking juices or a restrained mushroom sauce, allowing the Pomerol's softer tannins and savoury detail to remain part of the conversation rather than disappear beneath a heavy glaze.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$349, By Clinet offers a way to explore Pomerol with the Clinet team's winemaking expertise behind it, without stepping into the château's grand-vin tier. Its attraction is not an inflated score or an assumed connection to the flagship's specifications: it is expressive fruit, approachable texture and a clear dinner-table role. Choose it when you want a polished Bordeaux to accompany a special cut of beef without making the wine the most demanding part of the evening.

Looking for a Different Style?

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2021 Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva 'Risk All' Special Edition – A Spanish alternative with dark cherry, warm spice and savoury oak detail.