Berenice Lurton, the woman behind Climens' heavenly quality
The Lurton family has owned Chateau Climens since 1971. It's situated in Barsac commune, and the soil 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 usually is 12 hl, and the wine is kept for two years in 35-60% new barrels.
Climens has always been one of the best wines in the district, and if everything goes perfectly, it can rival d'Yquem in terms of richness and sophisticated touch. This wine is simply an essence of finesse and elegance with such grace and complexity you often can dream about. We are in heaven!
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Cypres de Climens 2015 88p
Tasted in April 2017. This wine was pleasant and tasty, with good sweetness and acidity.
Cypres de Climens 88-89p
Tasted in April 2017. It offered more elegance and less intensity than the 2015 version.
Cypres de Climens 2013 89p
Tasted in March 2015. Delicious sweetness, nice acidity, flavors, and grapefruit and acacia honey tasty.
Cypres de Climens 2012 88p
Tasted twice - last time in March 2015. Consistent notes. Pleasant nose and taste of acacia honey, good intensity of botrytised flavors, nice acidity, and sweetness. Honeyed finish.
Cypres de Climens 2011 90p
Tasted in March 2014. This wine was more intense and concentrated than in 2012, and there was an unmistakable taste of crème brulée and brown sugar, very good balance, and a persistent honeyed finish. Well-made.
Cypres de Climens 2010 92p
Tasted twice - last time in March 2014. Consistent notes. This wine displayed delicate sweetness and acidity, combined with the catchy aroma of honey melon and apricot. Subtle complexity and length here. A superb second wine is worth every point of its rating.
Cypres de Climens 2009 89-90p
Tasted in April 2012. Similar to 2007 but slightly more nuanced and longer aftertaste.
Cypres de Climens 2008 88p
Tasted in April 2011. Lovely peach and honey melon aromas, delicate balance, elegant and round. Delicious to drink.
Cypres de Climens 2007 89p
Tasted in March 2010. Aromas of brown sugar, pineapple, and grapefruit. Very nice acidity, creamy texture, and smooth finish. Very tasty indeed. Terrific second wine.
Cypres de Climens 2006 88p
Tasted in April 2009. Lovely peach and honey melon aromas, delicate balance, elegant and round. An absolute pleasure to drink now and in the next 3-5 years.
Cypres de Climens 2005 90p
Tasted in April 2009. More botrytised flavors here than in Cypres 2006 – apricot, peach, and acacia honey. Beautifully balanced and with a creamy texture. Intense for a second wine. Terrific effort. 4-6 years horizontally.
Cypres de Climens 2004 88p
Tasted in April 2009. It tastes like the twin sister of Cypres 2006.
At the property, a mind-boggling line-up of 37 vintages of Climens and three vintages of Cypres de Climens (second wine) was tasted on Saturday, the 4th of April 2009.
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Climens 2022 (barrel sample) 97+p
Tasted in April 2023. 100% Semillon. I tasted it at Bill Blatch Sauternes’ stand during the Vintex tasting at Ripeau. Patrimonia Development company now runs Climens, and the previous owner, Berenice Lurton, will consult the new owners over the next few years. The recent vintages weren’t kind for Climens due to the huge loss of grapes wiped out by frost and no wine to sell. 2022 is a great comeback for the property, with stylish wine having lots of finesse, sophisticated touch, great sweetness, and acidity. Sheer class here. 97+p.
Climens 2020 and Climens 2019 - neither tasted during primeur in March/April 2020 nor after bottling.
Climens 2018 - neither tasted during primeur in March/April 2019 nor after bottling.
Climens 2017 - no wine was produced due to frost in April 2017.
Climens 2016 (barrel sample) 96-97p
Tasted in April 2017. Based on tasted barrel samples/lots, I think this vintage is close to 2015, maybe slightly less rich and intense.
Climens 2015 (barrel sample) 96-97p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2017. Consistent notes. Maybe this vintage can be as stunning as 2014. It doesn't have the acidity of 2014, but intensity and depth seem slightly more significant in 2015. We will see in around five years.
Climens 2014 96-97p
Tasted three times - last time in April 2017. Consistent notes. It offers an excellent promise. Better than the 2013 vintage and rivals the 2011 vintage. It may be even better after bottling.
Climens 2013 95-96p
Tasted four times - last time in April 2017. Consistent notes. Great intensity of botrytised flavors like orange peel, grapefruit, and pineapple, great acidity, rich and sophisticated, very long finish. Stunning wine.
Climens 2012 93p
Tasted four times - last time in April 2017. Not consistent notes. It was a wine of great finesse with a sophisticated touch but significantly lighter in concentration and intensity than vintages 2013, 2014, and 2015.
Climens 2011 97p
Tasted five times - last time in April 2016. Consistent notes. Incredible purity of botrytised flavours, richness, acidity, great intensity, and finesse. This is a heavenly thrill. It may develop to be better than 2010, but I wonder if it will compete with 2001.
Climens 2010 99p
Tasted five times - last time in April 2016. Consistent notes. Great intensity of botrytised flavors, long, sophisticated, excellent sweetness, acidity, superb balance, long honeyed finish. For sure, it's another otherworldly Climens.
Climens 2009 99p
Tasted seven times - last time in April 2016. Consistent notes. It offered fantastic botrytis flavors (orange peel, acacia honey, pear, and pineapple), ranging from delicate to concentrated, excellent sweetness and acidity, richness, breathtaking purity, and sophisticated touch. Incredible stuff as well.
Climens 2008 95p
Tasted six times - last time in March 2014. Consistent notes. Beautiful spicy botrytis flavors like orange peel, apricot, peach, and acacia honey, fine acidity. An exquisite and sophisticated wine with a long honeyed aftertaste.
Climens 2007 99p
Tasted nine times - last time in March 2014. Consistent notes. It offers a fabulous showing of breathtaking elegance, purity, and outstanding balance. When you add striking depth and intensity of botrytised flavors and perfectly placed acidity to support sweetness, this wine can't be more exceptional than it already is. Will, without any doubt, go into history books. C'est magnifique!
Climens 2006 95p
Tasted nine times - last time in March 2014. Consistent notes. It immediately hits your nose and palate with stunning depth, finesse, concentration, and excellent balance. Strong botrytised aromas of candied orange peel and crème brulee. Impressive length on the palate and a very honeyed aftertaste. I will keep it for another 15-20 years.
Climens 2005 99p
Tasted seven times - last time in March 2014. Consistent notes. The whole 80% of the harvest went into Grand Vin. This wine is so, so perfect! It's sublime, with great intensity, depth, richness, and harmony between acidity and sweetness. It was sophisticated in big numbers. Intense and fabulously scented botrytised flavors of acacia honey, apricot, peach, and oranges. So stylish and elegant that you scream with joy. This wine has incredible potential and will last for at least half a century.
Climens 2004 93p
Tasted four times - last time in March 2010. Consistent notes. Significantly lighter than 2005 and showing less botrytised flavors than 2005. It is understandable since noble rot's journey through vines of Climens in 2004 was long, uneven, and interrupted by outbreaks of rain. Nevertheless, it has the usual Climens goodies, like pure elegance and finesse. Fine showing of botrytised flavors of apple cake with vanilla cream on top and candied apple/pear. Very seductive wine indeed. 10-15 years horizontally.
Climens 2003 100p
Tasted five times - last time in March 2010. Consistent notes. 87% of the harvest went into Grand Vin, with very few grapes to discard. It possesses the highest residual sugar level (9.6%) in modern-time vintages. It is a pure extravaganza. It's not classic wine from Climens, but what an exotic, concentrated, and special one. You feel the extreme concentration of tropical aroma on the nose by the first sniff – sweet red grapefruit, mango, sweet pineapple, honey melon, watermelon, guava, and candied apricot. Everything in this wine is extraordinary – richness, elegance, balance, subtlety, and aftertaste. Acidity acts perfectly as a fundament of this wine. Pure heaven! 40-50 years in the cellar.
Climens 2002 92p
Tasted four times - last time in March 2010. Consistent notes. Candied mandarin peel, sugar molasses, mango, and candied apricot. It's a great depth, delicate balance, and caressing aftertaste. Sensual and sublime. Lighter in texture than usual, but what elegance and finesse. Terrific to taste already and will stay like that for additional ten years.
Climens 2001 100p
Tasted three times - last time in April 2009. Consistent notes. Low yield – only six hl! This wine's richness, subtlety, and sophisticated touch is simply phenomenal! You have one of the best sweet wines in the world when you add the incredible complexity, depth, mega-long aftertaste, and perfect match between acidity and botrytised/reduced flavors. 50-60 years' life or even longer!
Climens 2000 91p
Tasted three times - last time in April 2009. Consistent notes. Microscopic yield due to persistent rain in the second half of October – barely 4 hl/ha! All the botrytised grapes harvested before the rain provided delicate sweetness, acidity, roundness, and charm. Quite forward. Drinks incredibly well already now.
Climens 1999 90p
Tasted three times - last time in April 2009. Consistent notes. Very well-structured wine and quite intense on the nose. Acacia flower, pear, and a touch of oranges. Light texture, smooth on the palate, and a very harmonious finish. It's splendid wine to drink now and in the next 12-18 years.
Climens 1998 91p
Tasted three times - last time in April 2009. Not consistent notes. This wine has finally opened for all the good things. Great depth and intense botrytised aromas of pear and acacia flower. It possesses terrific elegance and finesse, long and caressing aftertaste. Eminent wine with subtlety and charisma. 15-20 years in the cellar.
Climens 1997 98p
Tasted three times - last time in April 2009. Consistent notes. Climens has been in a backward stage in this vintage for several years. In April 2009, however, it opened up with imposing stuff. Candied orange peel/mandarin peel, excellent depth, and sophisticated touch. It's similar to Climens 2001 with all its richness, supporting acidity, and superb balance. Pure class! This jewel will be cellared for a long time – 25-30 years.
Climens 1996 95p
Tasted in April 2009. Incredibly classy and sublime wine – a lot of finesse and refinement. Acacia flower and honey intermixed with peach and apricot. Perfectly balanced and well-structured. Long and beautiful finish with flower honey flavor. It will last for another 15-20 years.
Climens 1995 94p
Tasted in April 2009. Mango, pineapple, and orange peel, perfectly constructed wine with superb acidity and corresponding fruit. Big, long, and creamy honeyed aftertaste. Stupendous quality here. 15-20 years horizontally.
Climens 1994 91p
Tasted in April 2009. Baked apple cake with brown sugar on top, nice botrytised aromas, nice acidity but not much sweetness here. Drinkable now and in the next 6-8 years.
Climens 1991 90p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2009. Consistent notes. Only 5 ha/hl due to frost in April. Soft and light texture, elegant, round, and with a lovely intensity of pear and apricot. Finishes smoothly. Success for this challenging vintage and great effort of the winemaker. To be consumed in the next 4-5 years.
Climens 1990 98p
Tasted in April 2009. A massive wine with much remaining sugar. Sweet mandarin peel, fresh-cut and candied, crème brulée, immense concentration, enormous palate. Excellent support of acidity to the fruit. Not that much elegance and finesse associated with Climens is apparent here, but the quality of this wine is exceptional. A long-term runner – 25-30 years.
Climens 1989 99p
Tasted in April 2009. Not that big and alcoholic like in 1990. More elegance, finesse, and refinement here. Astonishingly fine wine. It will last for at least 20 more years.
Climens 1988 97p
Tasted in April 2009. This wine is exceptionally long on the palate, exquisite and sophisticated. Not as big-headed as 1990 and 1989, and not the same intensity of botrytised flavors (candied fruit), the depth, structure, and length are impressive. Acidity and fruit are the perfect marriage; the finish is smooth and honeyed. Awesome stuff. 25-30 years horizontally.
Climens 1986 98p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2009. Consistent notes. It reminds me a lot of Climens 1988, but it seems more refined and intense. Botrytised flavors of peach, apricot, and pear are staggeringly fierce. Magnificent wine. Same keeping perspective as Climens 1988.
Climens 1985 90p
Tasted in April 2009. It's pretty fresh on the acidity side, nicely matched by fruit. Raisiny flavors and caramel. Noble rot didn't have an essential role in 1985, and the flavors resulted from grapes being dried by wind. Round, nicely balanced, and with a soft finish. Drinks very well now.
Climens 1983 100p
Tasted in April 2009. Direct hit in the bull's eye here! Simply fabulous on the nose with extraordinary intensity and depth. Excellent acidity matching botrytised flavors of acacia flower, pear, peach, apricot, and reduced flavors (nuts). Stunningly rich and sophisticated. Still very young, fresh, and vivid. What a class act! At the age of almost 26 years, it's apparent that this wine can keep for at least a quarter of a century more.
Climens 1982 88p
Tasted in April 2009. Not that sweet and botrytised, light, charming, and round. This wine has a short but smooth finish. It should be consumed within the next 2-4 years.
Climens 1981 91p
Tasted in April 2009. More depth and intensity of botrytised flavors and better structure than in Climens 1982. The length and aftertaste are also significantly longer here. Superb wine. 5-7 more years in the cellar.
Climens 1980 95p
Tasted in April 2009. This wine is a revelation when you think of weather conditions during harvest. Very creme brulee and vanilla pudding on the nose, intense, elegant, stylish, and fresh. The balance, structure, and sweet finish here complete this excellent wine. 10-15 more years.
Climens 1979 93p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2009. It's an extremely well-made wine that offers a blend of botrytised flavors like candied orange peel with a reduced flavor of nuts and the aroma of dried apricot and prune. Very elegant and splendidly concentrated on the palate, with excellent acidity and a sophisticated, long, caressing aftertaste. Delightful to drink now and in the next 6-8 years.
Climens 1978 94p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2009. Consistent notes. It's the incredible intensity of different aromas of botrytised and dried fruit like orange and mandarin. Fabulous on the palate with great support of acidity. Ideal balance and long honeyed aftertaste. Slightly better than Climens 1979.
Climens 1977 90p
Tasted in April 2009. Small yields at Climens in this vintage due to frost in the spring. In the vintage context, it's successful wine on the light side, incredibly charming, round, and seductive. Acacia honey on the finish. Drinks nicely now.
Climens 1976 100p
Tasted in April 2009. This wine is heaven. Energetic, incredibly structured, incredible balance. Yep – everything is unbelievable in this wine. Big crop, but severe selection (only 32% went into Grand Vin) ensured fantastic quality here. Dream wine. It will stay like that for another 10-15 years.
Climens 1975 100p
Tasted in April 2009. This wine oozes pure class and style! It's a beautiful balance and fantastic length. We are hitting the roof. A legend. Same keeping possibilities as for Climens 1976.
Climens 1974 88p
Tasted in April 2009. Together with 1969 and 1982, the least entertaining wine. This said, it is a round, charming, and drinkable wine with good sweetness. To be consumed now.
Climens 1973 92p
Tasted in April 2009. Outstanding balance between acidity and botrytised flavors of acacia honey, mandarins, orange/apricot peel, plus a touch of raisins in rum. Surprisingly deep, refined, and with an entertaining aftertaste. It is a spectacular wine, even if it lacks the incredible intensity of botrytised flavors. 3-5 more years in the cellar.
Climens 1972 93p
Tasted in April 2009. This wine is even better, more profound, and with more botrytised flavors than Climens 1973. Acidity is fresh and ensures the wine in question is alive and vivid. Great work of the winemaker here! Will entertain for 3-5 more years.
Climens 1971 100p
Tasted in April 2009. Acacia flower/honey explodes on the nose. Angels sing and sing and sing. This wine blows me away. It's an angelic length and finish and shows an extraordinary complexity. The balance between candied fruit and acidity is simply phenomenal. Finesse, elegance, and sophisticated touch here is exceptional. What a wine! It will undoubtedly turn the age of 50 years!
Climens 1970 96p
Tasted in April 2009. Again and again, the nose erupts with orange peel, heather honey, crème brélee, and candied pineapple aromas. Outstanding balance, structure, and richness. Aftertaste won't let you go – it goes on and on. Simply magnificent wine. It will stay like that until it's 45 years old.
Climens 1969 88p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2009. Darkest color of all 37 Climens – dark amber. Brown sugar, acidity is apparent and puts sweetness in the background. Lovely concentration and round aftertaste. It keeps well at the moment, but this won't last for more than a few years.
Climens 1967 100p
Tasted in April 2009. Da bomb! Viscous texture. Very deep, rich, and spicy with plenty of botrytised flavours. Fantastic length, structure, and intensity of flavors. Candied mandarin peel, candied apricots and crème brulee. Great acidity to balance the sweetness. A wine at its peak. This is heaven! It will indeed celebrate its 50 years birthday!
Climens 1964 95p
Tasted in April 2009. Magnificent showing here! Great sweetness, crème brulée, great acidity, finesse, and beautiful balance. Strikingly rich and sophisticated. The finish is gracious, smooth, and very honeyed. Awesome stuff. 4-6 more years in the cellar.