Château Clinet, Ronan By Clinet Bordeaux Blanc, 2024
Château Clinet, Ronan By Clinet Bordeaux Blanc, 2024
- 75cl
- 12.5%
- White Still
- Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2028
Ronan by Clinet Bordeaux Blanc 2024 is a fresh, modern white from the team behind Château Clinet, one of the historic estates of Pomerol.
In the glass, the wine is pure, savoury and lively. Expect bright citrus, green apple and white peach, with a subtle herbal edge and a light mineral note from the limestone soils. The palate is crisp and energetic, with clean acidity and a gently savoury finish that keeps it refreshing and food-friendly.
Château Clinet itself lies about 40 km east of Bordeaux on the right bank of the Garonne River, on one of the highest points of the Pomerol plateau, and has been producing wine for centuries. The Ronan Blanc vineyards are located in the heart of Entre-Deux-Mers, on soils formed from the same limestone base found in Saint-Émilion. Predominantly clay-limestone soils enhance fruit expression, while cooler clay-loam areas provide ideal conditions for white varieties.
This is a wine designed for youthful pleasure, showing at its vibrant best in its first two years when the citrus and green apple flavours are at their most electric. The mineral backbone will help it hold together for another year or two beyond that, though the primary fruit will gradually soften. Don't expect dramatic secondary development; instead, the wine will simply become more rounded whilst losing some of its initial zing. It's the kind of wine that rewards drinking sooner rather than later, when its fresh, food-friendly character is at its peak.
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale gold with brilliant clarity and a hint of green at the rim.
NoseBright citrus zest leads, followed by green apple and white peach. There's a subtle herbal quality reminiscent of fresh thyme and a clean, chalky mineral note that speaks to the limestone soils.
PalateCrisp and energetic on entry with clean acidity driving the citrus and stone fruit flavours. The mid-palate shows white peach richness balanced by green apple freshness. A light mineral thread runs through, adding complexity without weight.
FinishMedium length with a gently savoury, mineral-driven conclusion that keeps the wine refreshing and moreish.
Overall impressionA pure, modern expression of Bordeaux blanc that marries freshness with subtle sophistication.
Food Pairings
In Bordeaux, this style of white wine appears alongside the region's famous oysters from Arcachon Bay, their briny sweetness playing beautifully against the wine's mineral edge. Local chefs pair it with fresh river fish like pike or perch, simply prepared with herbs from the market gardens that dot the Entre-Deux-Mers. The wine's savoury character makes it perfect with the soft goat cheeses produced in the surrounding countryside, whilst its citrus brightness cuts through the richness of duck rillettes. It's equally at home with a simple lunch of fresh bread, local charcuterie, and tomatoes still warm from the vine.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve well-chilled at 8-10°C to showcase its refreshing qualities and crisp acidity. No need for decanting; this wine is all about immediate pleasure and vivacity. A standard white wine glass works perfectly, though a slightly smaller bowl will concentrate the delicate aromatics. Pull it from the fridge about 10 minutes before serving to avoid over-chilling, which can mute those lovely citrus and mineral notes.
The Ronan Blanc vineyards sit in the heart of Entre-Deux-Mers on the same limestone foundation that runs through Saint-Émilion. These predominantly clay-limestone soils provide excellent drainage whilst retaining enough moisture to keep the vines happy during Bordeaux's increasingly warm summers. The cooler clay-loam pockets create ideal microclimates for white varieties, allowing them to retain freshness whilst developing complexity. This geological continuity with the Right Bank's greatest sites gives the wine its distinctive mineral backbone.
Bordeaux Blanc represents the region's most approachable white wine appellation, covering the entire Bordeaux area with relatively flexible rules that encourage innovation. Unlike the stricter appellations of Pessac-Léognan or Graves, Bordeaux Blanc allows producers to experiment with blends and techniques whilst maintaining the region's signature style. The appellation has seen a renaissance in recent years as producers focus on freshness and food-friendliness rather than the heavy, oaked styles of the past. It's become the entry point for discovering how brilliant white Bordeaux can be when made with care.
We're still getting to grips with 2024 Bordeaux, but early signs suggest a vintage that kept vignerons on their toes. The growing season delivered its fair share of drama, with spring weather that swung between promising and problematic, followed by a summer that required careful canopy management to maintain balance. Harvest timing proved crucial, with those who picked at the right moment capturing fresh fruit character while avoiding the pitfalls that caught out less nimble producers.
What's emerged is a vintage with more immediate charm than the structured powerhouses we've seen in recent years. The Merlot-based Right Bank seems to have fared particularly well, producing wines with supple tannins and bright fruit that don't demand decades of patience. Left Bank Cabernet Sauvignon shows promise but varies more dramatically by producer and terroir. These aren't wines for the cellar purists, but rather bottles that reward drinking within the next decade while retaining enough backbone for those who prefer to wait a few years for the tannins to soften.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Fresh and lively with bright citrus, green apple, and white peach, plus a subtle herbal edge and gentle mineral notes from limestone soils.
When should I drink this wine?
It's perfect now and over the next 2-3 years whilst its fresh, vibrant character is at its peak.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Excellent with seafood, goat cheese, light salads, or simply as an aperitif. Its clean acidity makes it brilliantly food-friendly.
How should I serve this wine?
Serve well-chilled at 8-10°C in a standard white wine glass. No need to decant - it's all about immediate, refreshing pleasure.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
This is designed for drinking young when its fresh, citrusy character is at its most appealing. Enjoy it over the next few years rather than cellaring.
How does this compare to other white Bordeaux?
It's a modern, approachable style that showcases what contemporary white Bordeaux can achieve: pure, lively, and food-friendly without unnecessary oak or weight.
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