The opaque ruby/purple 2005 Clinet offers incredibly fragrant aromatics, an opaque ruby/purple color, and a wonderfully sweet nose of flowers, blackberries, licorice, truffle and caramel. Full-bodied, powerful and rich, it is not as nuanced or complex as the top four or five Pomerols, but close. This is a broad, meaty, masculine, super-rich and concentrated wine, with lavish plum, blackcurrants and blackberries. Drink it five years from now, and over the following 30 or more years.

We haven’t seen a Clinet this good since the late Jean-Michel Arcaute’s stunning duo of 1989 and 1990. This dense ruby/purple-tinged, exotic 2005 boasts soaring aromas of roasted herbs, plums, black currants, and caramelized chocolate. Savory, broad, and expansive with sensational purity, intensity, and length, this beauty possesses so much fruit and glycerin that it nearly hides the substantial tannins. Although performing exceptionally well at present, I suspect it will close down once it is put in a cold cellar. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2030.

Exhibits subtle, complex aromas of black olive, mushroom and crushed berry. Full-bodied, with a velvety tannin structure and a decadent, ripe fruit aftertaste. Slightly earthy, but with loads of delicious fruit. Best after 2013. 2,915 cases made. -JS

Powerful wine with a rich, ripe tannic frame. Attractive red berry fruit aromas. Touch of alcohol on the finish. Drink 2014-2025. (17 points)