1989 Château Clinet

Decanted on-site on the occasion of a casual dinner at Otto Ristorante on 14 November 2022, the 1989 Château Clinet, from an immaculately cellared bottle, is beautifully deep purplish with just a tinge of brown, exuding a feminine whiff of soft raspberries, rose petals and ripe wild berries with an understated earthiness that is immeasurably complex and beguiling. Softly contoured with svelte sexy tannins, this wine is still amazingly fresh and youthful even though it has hit peak maturity, utterly seamless all through its subtle layers of glorious fruit, stretching out with superb length and linearity. It gained a little more subtle intensity with food, yet maintaining its elegant poise and supreme balance without calling attention to itself. Wonderful stuff, truly a real beauty. Comparisons were made with Château La Mission Haut-Brion of the same vintage (also tasted at the same venue a year ago); the latter may, perhaps, be just a little more cerebral but the Clinet is equally searching, highly absorbing throughout the evening. Perfect with the 700g wagyu ribeye. Thanks, John!