Ronan by Clinet, Bordeaux 2015

"The prices of Bordeaux's elite have spiralled beyond the reach of most mere mortals over the past two decades. Even last year, when Covid-19-led economic uncertainty led to an average 21% drop in prices of the generally very good 2019 vintage, you're looking at several hundred quid a bottle for the biggest most in-demand names. Those wines are, to all intents and purposes, investment vehicles now rather than drinks, and theres something powerfully odd and sad in the idea of all those thousands of bottles of superlative wine sitting in cellars accumulating value rather than being poured and causing delight to drinkers. The closest most ordinary wine lovers come to the Bordeaux top table these days is by sampling their diffusion lines, with Ronan from the team that makes Château Clinet, one of the leading estates in Pomerol in Bordeaux's Right Bank area, a satisfying 100% merlot snapshot of that estates sumptuous house style."

"Quite a bargain this wine, coming from the director of the famous Pomerol estate Château Clinet. The 100% Merlot Bordeaux AOC made is silky-smooth claret with both black cherry and ripe plum on tea plate, balanced out by refreshing acidity. A juicy wine that invites drinking. One of my favorites from this blind tasting"

"The wine is ripe, rounded and with fine rich fruit. Its structure is balanced with the blackberry fruits, giving density as well as fine acidity."