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.

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Group wines by:

• Wine Name
• Variety
• Vineyard
• Vintage

wine type	Name, Type, Locale	Year
White	Château Climens Asphodèle (View Label Image) White, France, Bordeaux	2022 2020 2019 2018
White	Château Climens Lilium White, France, Bordeaux	2022
White	Château Climens Petite Lily White, France, Bordeaux	2022
White	Château Climens Vin Méthode Nature White, France, Bordeaux	2022
White - Sweet/Dessert	Château Climens (View Label Image) White - Sweet/Dessert, France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac	2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1967 1966 1964 1962 1961 1960 1959 1957 1956 1955 1953 1952 1950 1949 1948 1947 1944 1943 1942 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1934 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 1914 1912 1908 NV
White - Sweet/Dessert	Château Climens Cuvée des Lions White - Sweet/Dessert, France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac	2013 2009 1991
White - Sweet/Dessert	Château Climens Harrod's Own White - Sweet/Dessert, France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac	1995
White - Sweet/Dessert	Château Climens Harvey Nichols White - Sweet/Dessert, France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac	2010
White - Sweet/Dessert	Château Climens Papillon de Sauternes (View Label Image) White - Sweet/Dessert, France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes	2015 2014 2012 2010 2007 2005 2003 2002 2001 1996 1988 1986 1976
White - Sweet/Dessert	Château Climens Vandermeulen Bottling (View Label Image) White - Sweet/Dessert, France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac	2005 2001 1947 1918