My mouth waters every time I think about the liquid gold 2005 Climens. It is truly a perfect wine. One of the great wineries in the world, located in Barsac, Chateau Climens has gained a worldwide reputation for producing top notch Sauternes. Set on the left bank of the Garonne, in Graves region in the south-west of Bordeaux, The Grands Crus from Sauternes and Barsac were classified in 1855 at the same time as the Grands Crus from Médoc. Château Climens belongs to the First Classed Growths of 1855.
Within the Sauternes appellation, the small village of Barsac is primarily set on limestone soils which yields a wonderful freshness and balance to the wines. Chateau Clemens estate is a 30 hectares property situated on the appellation’s highest land where limestone outcrops are abundant. For years Berenice Lurton was at the helm at Climens, beginning in 1992. She was one of the great winemakers of the region, producing balanced yet massively complex wines. In 2002 Château Climens owner Lurton has sold a majority stake in the prestigious, Barsac-based estate to Jean-Hubert Moitry and his family.
It was such a pleasure revisiting the great vintages of 2003 and 2005. 2003 was a much warmer year, producing wines of serious power and depth. The 2003 didn’t show the same level of poise as the ’05 but was a hedonistic treat to discover. The 2005 remains for me a perfect wine — one with impeccable balance and flavor complexity. It is a total stunner right now. It is really hard to describe how good the ’05 is! Learn more about this compelling estate in the Bordeaux region at http://www.chateau-climens.fr/en/
2003 Chateau Climens- Dense, heady and downright unctuous, the 2003 Chateau Climens is a dizzying treat to consume right now. Taken from a .750ML bottle, bought at Hedonism Wines in London, this offers gorgeous candied ginger, mango and pineapple notes on the palate, with orange marmalade and butterscotch notes. Considering the heat of the vintage and the age of the wine, this is holding nicely, still offering good freshness. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2036- 97
2005 Chateau Climens- A resounding success from this great vintage, the 2005 Chateau Climens is a world-class wine that is weightless, highly complex and absolutely scintillating to enjoy now. The gorgeous bouquet beings you back to the glass, offering intense tropical fruits alongside vanilla creme brûlée, pineapple upside down cake and shades of Meyer lemon cream. The palate is seamless and smooth, with plenty of stony minerals that meld well with passion fruit, bananas foster and toasted macadamia nut flavors. Showing beautiful weight and intensity, this has a really long life ahead of it. Drink 2024-2050- 100