© 2003-2008 I.Litwar
Climens has been owned by Lurton family since 1971. It’s situated in Barsac commune, soil here is a mix of red sand and gravel on subsoil consisting of decomposed limestones. There are 29 ha planted with 100% Semillon, vines are on average 35 years old, yield per ha is 12 hl and the wine is kept for 2 years in 35-60% new barrels.
Climens has always been one of the very best wines in the district and if everything goes perfectly, it's able to rival d’Yquem in terms of richness and sophisticated touch. This wine is simply an essence of finesse and elegance with such graciosity and complexity, you often can dream about. We are in heaven!
Berenice Lurton, the woman behind Climens' heavenly quality
Climens 2007 (barrel sample) 96p
Tasted in April 2008. It offered fabulous showing of breathtaking elegance, purity and wonderful balance. One of this vintage's best wines, that's for sure. My impression and hereafter my score is based on tasting several different barrels including two different lots.
Climens 2006 (barrel sample) 95p
Tasted in April 2007. It was sublime everywhere with fabulously shaped botrytis and possessed sheer elegance and finesse.
Climens 2005 97+p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2008. Consistent notes. In April 2006, it turned up to be as it should, with an incredibly sublime and sophisticated wine full of astonishingly pure and intense botrytis, superb acidity and breathtaking sweetness. This wine is immense! In April 2008, when in bottle, it continued to make you lose breath. I believe this wine can be va match for 2001 and 2003
Climens 2004 (barrel sample) 95p
2004 harvest started on the 27th September 2004 and lasted until 14th October, resulting in 1st tri (27th September-3rd October) and 2nd tri (7th October-14th October), and average % of potential alcohol in both tri reaching 21-22%. Yield per ha was 14 hl/ha.
Tasted twice - last time in April 2006. Consistent notes. This wine's
close in style to 2001 vintage. However, barely that intense and complex. Still, you get wonderful balance, richness and incredibly pure botrytis. 15-20 years.Climens 2003 100p
Tasted three times - last time in July 2007. Consistent notes. Yield per ha here was only 9 hl/ha and the residual sugar reached 160 g/l. 160 g/l residual sugar corresponds roughly to 14.6% alcohol in this wine and imposing 9.5% residual sugar (!) per bottle in this breathtaking vintage. This wine displayed a fantastic show of tropical flavors, refinement, intensity, finesse, sophisticated touch and wonderful finish. Whau! Another legend coming! 100p.
Climens 2002 94p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2006. Consistent notes. Very stylish and well in line what Climens stands for. Very elegant, pure, sophisticated and with lot of finesse. Extremely catchy and tasty. Marvellous wine with stunning balance and class.
Tasted twice - last time in April 2005. Everything was extraordinary in this wine, which due to its impeccable balance, easily can keep for 20-30 years. A dream wine of heavenly quality.
Climens 2000 92p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2006. Microscopic yield - only 3.5 hl/ha! Fine botrytis, creamy fruit, refined and sophisticated. An extremely impressive vintage for Climens.
Climens 1999 90p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2005. Consistent notes. More forward and more friendly than 1998. Also here acidity is apparent, although fruit doesn't allow it to dominate too much. Well-structured and sophisticated wine.
Climens 1998 89p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2005. Consistent notes. Spicy fruit with acidity very present. This wine wasn't quite in balance for the moment and seemed quite closed. Needs time - 5-7 years.
Climens 1997 96+p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2004. Consistent notes. Very spicy with lot of acidity. Packed with everything you need to be impressed. A backward Climens who needs time (5-6 years) to show all its beauty.
Climens 1991 90p
Tasted in April 2004. Only 5 hl/ha. Soft botrytis, light texture but lot of elegance. Rich and refined. Splendid for this difficult vintage and a clear sign of meticulous work in the cellar.
Climens 1986 94+p
Tasted in April 2004. Still going strong, full and with extremely beautiful botrytis. This wine has so much to offer and will provide a lot of joy and satisfaction for next 10 years to come.
Climens 1978 92p
Tasted in April 2004. Spicy, beautifully balanced and with gracious elegance. A real heart-breaker wine which you simply can't resist.
Climens 1969 90p
Tasted in April 2006 during lunch at Chasse Spleen. Amber. Sweet, fine botrytis, extremely charming and seductive. Scent of brown sugar and vanilla budding/créme brulée. Perfectly enjoyable now.
Frederic Nivelle - day-to-day manager of Climens
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