Château Climens

Château Climens - Barsac, 1er Cru Classé

Introduction: The king of Barsac

Château Climens is considered the undisputed top wine of the Barsac appellationand is often regarded by connoisseurs as the closest rival to the legendary Château d'Yquem. In the 1855 classification, Climens was labelled Premier Cru Classé(Barsac enjoys the privilege of marketing its wines under both "Sauternes" and "Barsac"). For many connoisseurs, Climens represents the pure, finesse-rich and mineral interpretation of noble sweet Bordeaux wines.

Location and terroir: a pure limestone soil

The 29-hectare vineyard is located on one of the highest points of Barsac, right on the border with Sauternes. The key feature of the terroir is the shallow, red gravel over a massive limestone layer. This chalky subsoil provides a natural freshness and a striking minerality that sets Climens apart from its often somewhat more opulent Sauternes neighbours.

Grape variety: The realm of Sémillon

While Château d'Yquem always uses a proportion of Sauvignon Blanc, Château Climens makes its wines from 100% Sémillon. This decision emphasises the purism of the house. The Sémillon grape is particularly susceptible to noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) and, when perfectly ripe, produces wines of exceptional concentration, creaminess and complexity.

Vinification: tradition and perfection

Winemaking follows centuries-old traditions. The grapes are harvested in several elaborate hand-picking processes (Tries), in which only the noble rotten berries are selected. Ageing takes place for around 20-24 months in French barriques, whereby the proportion of new oak is kept moderate so as not to mask the fruit and minerality. The yields are extremely low; in some years Climens produces only a fraction of the possible quantity.

History: A woman with vision

The modern era of Climens is inextricably linked with the name Lurton. in 1971, Lucien Lurton took over the then run-down estate. The real milestone, however, was the handover to his daughter Bérénice Lurton in 1992. Under her leadership, an era of consistent organic (from 2010) and finally biodynamic (from 2013)cultivation began . Today, Climens is certified biodynamic (Demeter) and is one of the pioneers of the top class.

Flavour profile: finesse instead of power

A Climens is not a heavy, syrupy wine, but is characterised by its breathtaking elegance, lightness and mineral tension.

Flavours:Typical notes are white flowers, quinces, fresh apricots, lemon balm, honey and a fine hint of spices. Nuances of candied orange, almonds and caramel develop with maturity.
Structure: The sweetness is perfectly balanced with a lively, almost cutting acidity. Climens leaves a feather-light, salty and crystalline impression on the palate - one speaks of a "vertical" rather than "horizontal" sweetness.

Conclusion

Château Climens is the epitome of elegant Barsac. In good years, it can compete with Yquem, but puts its own unmistakable stamp on the concept of noble sweetness: more minerality, more finesse, more levitation. For connoisseurs, Climens is often even the preferred wine over its more famous neighbour. If stored properly, it can be kept for decades, even centuries - an absolutely great wine from Bordeaux.