2016 Chateau Climens 1er Cru - "Sauternes"

2016 Chateau Climens 1er Cru - "Sauternes"

The Climens Style

Smooth and airy sweet white, Climens is a subtle wine that is unlike any other. While it expresses the quintessence of the Barsac appellation through its balance and freshness, it also possesses the power and sumptuousness of the greatest Sauternes. Climens is perhaps defined above all by a brilliance, a depth, conferred by its unique terroir.

Climens is above all famous for the elegance of its wines, but also for its consistency in excellence: even in the "small" vintages, the wines produced are magical.

The preservation and expression of this incomparable terroir have been maintained over the centuries in a family setting. The daring choice to switch to biodynamics, made in 2010 by Bérénice Lurton and set up by a passionate team, is part of this unfailing requirement. Château Climens is today the only Premier Cru Classé of Bordeaux to be certified biodynamic.

This particular grace made up of tension and minerality that characterizes Climens is accompanied by an extraordinary aromatic palette mixing flowers, fruits, spices and often a hint of eucalyptus or minty freshness. In its youth, it is rather citrus fruits (grapefruit, lemon, citron), fruits and white flowers that dominate, echoing the rather pale color of the wine. Whatever the vintage, the wines age slowly, their frame becomes more and more complex and subtle, their color becomes more amber. Each vintage has its own personality but has this harmonious blend of sweetness and freshness that gives Climens this inimitable charm that crosses time.

96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

 Pale lemon-gold colored, the 2016 Climens is a little youthfully mute, revealing notions of ripe peaches, mango and musk melon with touches of cedar chest, orange blossoms, candied ginger and baking bread. Bursting in the mouth with vibrant, energetic stone fruit and tropical layers, it is framed by fantastic freshness, finishing long and creamy. (LPB) 96+  (3/2019)

93-96 points Vinous

 I tasted the 2016 Climens from four separate lots identified by location, harvest dates, alcohol, residual sugar and the percentage each lot represents of the harvest. The four wines were remarkably different. The Nord was both plush and tropical-leaning, yet with notable freshness, while the Sud managed to be both deep and also light on its feet. I found the Ouest to be the most precise and aromatically lifted of the samples, while the Est was the most concentrated. A simple, impromptu blend of the four lots suggests the 2016 Climens is shaping up to be a magnificent Barsac. The interplay of the various components is quite remarkable. (AG)  (4/2017)

94 points Decanter

 Climens hold blending tastings every few weeks during maturation, and generally the final blend is made in the November of the year after harvest. Climens only needed two 'tries' through the vineyard here, which has been the case for two or three years as it goes so smoothly. The first tri took place on 20th September following 40mm of rain in mid September, which helped to kick-start the botrytis. The overall yield of around 20hl/ha mainly avoided mildew, and importantly proved that biodynamics can withstand difficult climatic conditions. They work with individual lots here to ensure the right balance, and tasting through several lots the homogeneity of quality is really impressive this year. The overall impression is of smooth citrus fruits with a succulent, velvety rich texture and a beautiful creaminess. There are toffee and nut notes and a gorgeous focus, with true salinity on the finish. The 3.7pH is very close to last year's acidity analysis. (JA)  (4/2017)

93 points Wine Spectator

 Expressive, with peach, mirabelle plum, mango and pear fruit flavors running along in unison, lacing with light bitter almond and orange notes and a flash of honeysuckle. (JM)  (3/2019)