Château Climens Sauternes-Barsac 2016 - 1er Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

There is unanimous agreement that Climens is the finest of Barsac wines: the nature of its limestone bedrock gives it an extra acidity that wonderfully balances its richness in liquor, often considerable in recent vintages, which benefit from conversion to biodynamic viticulture. But there's still something mysterious about the extraordinary, even transcendent finesse of its fragrances, even considering the quality of the men and women who have been in charge of it (today, Bérénice Lurton).

Decanter

About the wine:

My favorite Sauternes! Already glorious, it will live for decades. Burnished gold color, hints of botrytis on the nose, some notes of leaves, spices and lemongrass and a palate with just the right balance between gourmandise and freshness. Extremely subtle oak. A wonderful Barsac to be enjoyed from 2022 to 2060.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the domain :

Climens is certainly the finest and most syrupy of Barsac wines. With an exceptional terroir of almost a single block, Semillon is the estate's only grape variety.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

 Pale lemon gold in color, Château Climens 2016 reveals notes of ripe peach, mango and melon with touches of cedar, orange blossom, ginger and baked bread. Bursting on the palate with vibrant, energetic fruit and tropical touches, it's framed by fantastic freshness, with a long, creamy finish. 2021-2049

About the domain :

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

A lively nose with a hint of iron powder. Its slender, sapid palate reveals all the energy of Barsac through fruit of exemplary purity, with a masterfully balanced liqueur.

About the domain :

Château Climens has been owned by Lucien Lurton's family since 1971. Today, the estate is brilliantly managed by his daughter Bérénice. Few French sweet wines are distinguished by a bouquet as pure and elegant as that of this Barsac premier cru classé. It owes its transcendent quality to its exceptional terroir, which produces harvests as rich in sugar as Sauternes, but with a palette of flavors that is often more complex and diverse. The team's know-how is no stranger to success either: from the different batches harvested at varying degrees of botrytis intensity, Bérénice Lurton, with her manager Frédéric Nivelle, creates skilful blends like works of art. Aware of the cultural changes that have taken place in recent years, Bérénice Lurton has converted her vineyard to biodynamic viticulture.

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

Intense nose of candied yellow fruit, spices and pear. Full-bodied, well-balanced, very long finish.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Golden yellow with green highlights. The bouquet of Climens 2016 is complex, generous and very expressive. I note smoky notes that evoke a hint of pistachio and salted caramel. On the palate, the wine is compact, creamy and perfectly balanced. What breed and charm! A saline touch on the finish. A promising wine to follow over time. 2026-2061

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Yellow-green color. Intense, fruity, fine nose. Superb entry on the full palate, where the wine develops into an exceptionally silky, flavorful wine, with a long, complex finish. Delicious.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

The perfect combination of ripe pineapple, white peaches, nectarines and a touch of mango, all topped with honey, vanilla and flowers. The wine is quite sweet. But, the racy acidity lifts everything in your palate so that everything is fresh and energetic. It could score even more points as it ages. Potential for at least 3 decades.

Anthocyanes - Yohan Castaing

About the wine:

Beautiful nose of complexity and precision, with elegant, fresh aromas of pear, peach, mango, lime blossom, menthol and slightly exotic fruit. Delicate mouthfeel with lovely liqueur for a Château Climens that's tauter than usual yet not lacking in power. Beautiful bitter finish. Airy, fresh finish. What aromatic brilliance! A long-lasting wine.