Clos René 2016

Has not lost any of its class, features polished tannins and freshness, appears slender and elegant yet long; wines like this guarantee drinking pleasure at every stage! One of the year’s hits!

Here we find the lower register of dark fruit in a lovely, sincere old-school Pomerol. It just tightens up and drops off earlier than some of the others, but it's enjoyable.

A very attractive wine with a wealth of quite concentrated fruit aromas and flavors. This has deep-set plums and a swathe of earthy, crushed violets. Good depth and freshness here. Try from 2021.

The 2016 Clos René is an absolutely delicious Pomerol to drink now and over the next handful of years. Pliant and forward, the 2016 offers quite a bit of raciness and succulence in its red cherry fruit, espresso and mint. Clos René is not especially complex, but it is an undeniably fun wine that will drink well for the next decade or so.

Earthy red fruits and herbs with a nice note of thyme start off this medium-bodied, forward, cherry-filled, early-drinking Pomerol.

The ruby/purple-hued 2016 Clos René is a charming, pleasure-bent effort that has good richness and depth in its dark fruits, black raspberries, tobacco leaf, and background oak. It’s charming, mouthfilling, and totally satisfying. Drink it any time over the coming 10-15 years or so.

You can’t go wrong with old-school Pomerol on a cold winter evening. My suggestion with these super-traditional wines like Clos Rene is to choose them in great vintages like 2016, where the edge of rusticity becomes unfussy drinkability. Expect supple tannins, a ton of blackberry and red cherry fruit, smoked earth and crushed rose petals. Owner Jean-Michel Garde is the long-term president of the appellation, very low key and rarely strays from his family estate. I’m pretty sure he’s a fan of gathering cèpe mushrooms at this time of year, so you could even pan-fry some with parsley, garlic and butter, and settle in for the night.

The best clos-rené of the early part of this century, perfect in its flavors of peppery flowers, its refinement on the palate, and its rising finish. Given the excellent value for money, it’s worth stocking up as soon as possible.

Purplish violet. This Clos René really has a nose—and I don’t say that just because it rhymes, but because it truly strikes me. Nevertheless, beyond the nose, it shows spices, morello cherries, and black berries. It’s still youthful and needs a bit of air. On the palate, the wine is juicy, compact, and well supported by its structure. A promising wine that should spend a little time in the cellar, but, truth be told, it’s already very exciting.

Dark color. Fruity, creamy nose. Flavorful palate, very fruity, with a caressing touch and smooth, rounded tannins. Medium body and length.