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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.8 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 71 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Shrewsram on 4/1/2022 & rated 92 points: Part of a tasting dinner with colleagues:
Amber appearance
Gorgeous botrytis hit on the nose: burnt orange and honey, a palpable sense of viscosity (not oil). Vibrant and displays a certain delicacy. Super intensity.
The palate feels strangely ‘separate’ – clean but I feel I can taste the joints(!). Savoury stitching, light creamy thread, sense of pools/minerality… clean and uplifting (mirrors?), savoury touches… tangy and electric. Very stony, tangy apricot skins, orange pith. Interesting, intense, and complex.
Had it with Tarte Tatin – brought out an almond note and very savoury. (2593 views) | | | Tasted by Adrian Wood on 12/17/2021 & rated 94 points: Bright honeyed tropical fruits on the nose Deep gold almost orange colour. Sunshine in a glass. A touch of raisins, but more apricots and peaches, then some marmalade and citrus which balances it really well. Very clean, not cloying and well balanced. Went really well with our dessert course and then the Colston Bassett (2383 views) | | | Tasted by No Taste@! on 11/25/2021: Hmmm... still mulling. Try again (2144 views) | | | Tasted by rossi.wine on 5/20/2021 & rated 92 points: Burnt sugar, honey, orange peel, floral notes, botrytis spice on the nose. Quite fresh and lively on the palate, not cloying at all, but also not super concentrated. Spicy and slightly bitter, good balance, nice length. Drink or keep. 91-93 (3009 views) | | | Tasted by timothynbond on 11/12/2020 & rated 94 points: Translucent amber with a nose strongly of orange peel, reminiscent of grand marnier. The orange peel continued on the off dry palate being joined with marzipan and brown sugar in a medium plus body with a luscious thick mouthfeel and medium acidity and great depth across the palate. Really excellent, I could sip on this forever. Wine of the year candidate. Drank over four days with consistent notes. (3028 views) | | | Tasted by Loathesome on 11/6/2020 & rated 89 points: Bearing in mind the standard of Climens generally, this was a bit disappointing. Not as light in colour as hoped. Certainly sweet and just enough balancing acidity but little botrytis or elegance and in fact all a bit four square and clumsy and I was not surprised to see 14% on the label. Climens in its youth is not always appealing but I had hoped more from this vintage once it had matured. (1817 views) | | | Tasted by PeterFrancis on 10/28/2020 & rated 94 points: Good colour, as expected given age. Nose slightly muted (but I had a slight cold) then good concentration, harmonious across palate, very good middleweight, touch of acidity, clean finish. Not the sweetest, though very nicely balanced and the score gives it a couple of points as a result. (1685 views) | | | Tasted by rwpalmer on 9/11/2020 & rated 90 points: All a bit muted. I couldn't detect signs of botrytis. Some fruit and barley sugar flavours. Medium sweet. Maybe not a great Climens or just not a great bottle. However it was clean and did not suggest cork taint. (1767 views) | | | Tasted by AllRed on 8/22/2020 flawed bottle: 4th Saturday Group: Uptown Brown Bag (M&R's): Courtesy of R&D, standard bottle, but just a bit off. Slight TCA. (1885 views) | | | Tasted by Radboy on 9/6/2019 & rated 93 points: Beautiful wine. Refined and not overly sweet. Initially there was a hint of pears and raw sugar followed by delicate burnt orange. Caramel and brown sugar. Nice! (2074 views) | | | Tasted by chbeaumont on 12/8/2018 & rated 91 points: Pale amber; cream toffee, marshmallow, floaty, peaches, ginger; thick, counterpoising acidity, an intensity which carries through to the extended finish, which has plenty of power. Yet to peak. Lacks intrigue. (2413 views) | | | Tasted by ohne_musik on 11/10/2017 & rated 93 points: Light amber. A bit dull at first but starts blossoming after an hour. Spicy, elegant and not syrupy, although plenty sweet. Wildflower honey, dried apricots, dried pineapple, orange flower water, hints of clove and saffron, and a bit of nuttiness. A bit hollow on the midpalate but long on the finish. Considering it has seen suboptimal storage for 7-8 years it's really in great shape. (3743 views) | | | Tasted by Rupert on 11/8/2017: Nail varnishy and not very sweet - nice enough, but a big disappointment for a Climens from a reputed vintage. (3445 views) | | | Tasted by dcwino on 10/18/2017 flawed bottle: Pichon Lalande dinner with Nicolas Glumineau (Taberna del Alabardero, Washington D.C.): Unfortunately unreasonably dark for a '97. Oxidized. (4934 views) | | | Tasted by galewskj on 9/30/2017 & rated 95 points: Guys Night Part III (Jason's House): The 3rd time I've had this wine in 10 months, and this one was substantially better than the first 2. I love Climens, and this wine is why. Elegant, balanced, it has the whole package that you expect from Sauternes - tropical to stone fruit, spice, creme brulee, caramel. Lovely. (3280 views) | | | Tasted by rocknroller on 9/28/2017 & rated 95 points: Mostly Cali at Jason's: Deep amber color. Drank 1+ glass over the next 2 weeks. Gorgeous immediately this had depth and character to boot. orange, lifted, peach, spice, energetic. (3336 views) | | | Tasted by Greg07 on 7/19/2017 & rated 92 points: beautiful wine ... smell of roasted pineapple ... lack of a bit of acidity to get the super length (2290 views) | | | Tasted by AllRed on 6/24/2017 & rated 89 points: 4th Saturday Group: Uptown Brown Bag (M&R's): Deep color. Notes of apricot, white peach and pear liqueur. Rich texture with stone fruit dominating the palate. I'd like a touch more acidity here, as it feels just slightly cloying and heavy. (2378 views) | | | Tasted by rmalloy on 6/14/2017 & rated 95 points: I would have little hesitation saying that Sauternes (incl. Barsac) makes the best wines in the world. Putting aside the sweetness -- the powerful and complex aromas of Sauternes outclass *every* wine.
This wine offers extraordinary aromas of flowers, custard, dried apricots, and botrytis. It is profound and multi-layered. It dances all over the place on the tongue. I'm glad that Sauternes isn't fashionable today, but reality always wins -- and one day a wine like this will cost $1,000+. (2378 views) | | | Tasted by galewskj on 6/12/2017 & rated 91 points: Bring a Very Good Red . . . Again (Tilia): Exactly where it was 7 months ago. Pleasant enough, has a lot going for it, but this producer usually has more elegance and depth. (2487 views) | | | Tasted by rocknroller on 6/8/2017 & rated 92 points: A Mix of Big Name CDP and Cab Blends (Tilia, Mpls): I didn't take any notes on this. But it was not a blockbuster by any means, yet very nuanced and finessed with a medium body and impeccable balance. I thought it was just lovely. (2740 views) | | | Tasted by jeffreylubowski on 5/26/2017 & rated 89 points: This bottle seemed a little tired. Darker than I would have liked. Not flawed, but not matching the beauty other tasters noted. It's got the apricots honey butterscotch vanilla but it's lost most of its tropics and zip. Not a disaster but climens is better than this, especially in a good vintage. (2126 views) | | | Tasted by swaap on 12/31/2016 & rated 92 points: Arômes d'abricots, mangue et d'ananas rôtis, fraîcheur et equilibre en bouche. (2394 views) | | | Tasted by galewskj on 12/16/2016 & rated 91 points: Luis Tilia WTDS plus Happy Birthday to Gary and Me (Tilia): Pop and pour, shared a bottle with the table. A nice servicable Sauternes, just a bit disappointing from this producer that usually has more elegance. I hope this is in a dead spot and will rise from the ashes in a few years. (2481 views) | | | Tasted by rmalloy on 7/3/2016 & rated 95 points: This wine is heavenly. It isn't the most powerful Sauternes, but it's among the most delicious. Deep copper color. Orange marmalade, dried apricot, saffron, and honey with vibrant acidity. Overtones of pleasant mold (not unlike blue cheese). Buttery texture. Decadent elegance.
Not exactly cheap, but you won't find many better wines in this price range either. (2927 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Neal Martin
Vinous, Magic and Madness: Climens 1912-2020 (Aug 2022) (8/1/2022)
(Climens Climens Sweet White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Tamlyn Currin
JancisRobinson.com (11/2/2017)
(Ch Climens Barsac White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Julia Harding, MW
JancisRobinson.com (5/13/2009)
(Ch Climens Barsac White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (12/22/2001)
(Ch Climens Barsac White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (12/22/2001)
(Ch Climens Barsac White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, July/August 1999, IWC Issue #85
(Chateau Climens Barsac) Subscribe to see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (6/13/2003)
(Château Climens) Rich, beautiful, hazelnut nose and palate; long finish 91 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and JancisRobinson.com and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Château Climens Producer website - Read more about Chateau Climens
ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Ch. Climens is one of Sauternes-Barsac’s leading producers of sweet wine. Classified as a Premier Cru or First Growth in 1855 it sits alongside just 10 other Premier Cru estates in Sauternes, only bettered by Ch. d’Yquem, which was granted its own elite classification of Premier Cru Supérieur.
Climens is the only First Growth in Bordeaux to be certified biodynamic (in 2014) and has some of the lowest yields in Sauternes.
The estate is known for its consistency, even in more difficult vintages. Being based in Barsac, it benefits from the limestone bedrock that is thought to contribute to the wine’s overriding elegance, brilliance and depth.
The estate’s origins date back to 1547, but it was when Bordeaux wine merchant Jean Binaud purchased the estate in 1802 that the property’s promise was realised. He recognised the potential of the site and it is his work in the vineyard that is thought to have contributed to the château being awarded First Growth status in 1855.
In 1971 the estate was bought by Bordeaux legend Lucien Lurton (owner of Ch. Brane Cantenac among others). In 1992, his daughter Bérénice Lurton took over the estate aged just 22. It has been her commitment to the estate and sustainable viticulture that has seen Climens become one of the very top-performing estates in Bordeaux.
The wines are all 100% Semillon, with around 3,000 cases of the Grand Vin produced in a good vintage. They also produce a second wine called Cypres de Climens and a dry wine called Asphodèle.
The vineyards is a single block of vines. The soil is a red clay sand (rich in iron) sitting on a bedrock of limestone. The limestone provides natural drainage and a heightened florality and salinity to the wine. The iron brings richness, while the sand brings elegance and brightness.
The château is not afraid to bring production levels right down and even declassify entire vintages if the quality of the grapes is not up to their (very high) standards. No Grand Vin was made in 2020, 2019, 2017, 1993, 1992, 1987 or 1984. Yields can be as low as 4hl/ha.
Grapes are picked typically over a long period (six weeks to two months), selecting only botrytised bunches at optimum ripeness. The wine is fermented over two to three weeks and fermentation halted once a sufficient level of alcohol is reached. The wine is then chilled and racked off its lees. The wine is aged in around 50% new French oak barrique, depending on the vintage.France Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)
Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings
2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.comBordeaux Bordeaux Wine Guide
Vins Bordeaux (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux)
History of Bordeaux
History of 1855 Bordeaux Classification
"2009 is all about ripeness, with wines impressively packed with ripe fruit and high alcohol levels. They are showy, in-your-face, and full of pleasure. The 2010s have the fruit and alcohol levels of the 2009s, but with a compelling freshness on the finish that balances the fruit and provides a perfect sense of structure." - Ben Nelson
"2016 is a landmark vintage in certain spots of Bordeaux and it should be remembered as one of the most inspired campaigns of the last 40-50+ years." -Jon Rimmerman
"The quality of red Bordeaux in 2016 was universally lauded – although the response to the en primeur campaign was muted. Quantity was high too, with the equivalent of 770 million bottles of wine produced. An exceptionally dry summer with cool nights eventually, thanks to mid September rain, resulted in small, thick-skinned, ripe grapes, and the wines are marked by high tannin and acidity, with superb aromatic fragrance." - Jancis Robinson
"2017 was complicated, but there are some excellent wines. Expect plenty of freshness and drinkability from wines that will offer excellent value, and others that will rival 2016 in terms of ripeness and ageability. But they are likely to be the exception not the rule, making careful selection key." - Jane Anson
"In the past, a vintage such as 2022 may have been overripe, raisined and low in acidity but 2022 had a sneaky little reservoir in its back pocket - a near perfect marriage of cool/cold/rain the previous winter and the previous vintage that literally soaked the soils (a key to why 2022 is not 2003...or 1893)." - Jon RimmermanBarsac Appellation Barsac - Read details and information about Barsac |
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