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, the vines are on average 35 years old, the yield per ha is usually 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 the grace and complexity you often dream about. We are in heaven!
In 2022, Paris-based company Patrimonia Development acquired the majority of shares in Climens. Due to a series of disastrous frosts from 2017 to 2021, there was no wine to sell and no money to earn, prompting the change in ownership. Bérénice Lurton will continue to serve as a consultant for the Moitry family, the owner of Patrimonia Development.
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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
I tasted it in March 2015. It had delicious sweetness, a nice acidity, and grapefruit and acacia honey flavors.
Cypres de Climens 2012 88p
Tasted twice - last time in March 2015. Consistent notes. It has a pleasant nose and taste of acacia honey, a good intensity of botrytized flavors, and a nice acidity, sweetness, and honeyed finish.
Cypres de Climens 2011 90p
I tasted this wine in March 2014. It was more intense and concentrated than in 2012, and there was an unmistakable taste of crème brulée and brown sugar. There was a very good balance, and a persistent honeyed finish. It is 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. It's similar to 2007 but slightly more nuanced and with a longer aftertaste.
Cypres de Climens 2008 88p
I tasted it in April 2011. It has lovely peach and honey melon aromas, a delicate balance, and is elegant and round. It's delicious to drink.
Cypres de Climens 2007 89p
I tasted it in March 2010. It has aromas of brown sugar, pineapple, and grapefruit, very nice acidity, a creamy texture, and a smooth finish. It's indeed very tasty and a 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
I tasted it in April 2009. There are more botrytized flavors here than in Cypres 2006: apricot, peach, and acacia honey. It is beautifully balanced and has a creamy texture. It is 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 Climens vintages and three Cypres de Climens vintages (second wine) was tasted on Saturday, the 4th of April 2009.
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Climens 2023 (barrel sample) 98p
Tasted in April 2024. This is the second vintage under new ownership. It is a staggeringly stylish wine with great finesse and richness, a sophisticated touch, great sweetness, and remarkable acidity. 98p.
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 nice for Climens due to the huge loss of grapes because of frost and the lack of wine to sell. 2022 is a great comeback for the property, with stylish wine having lots of finesse, a 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, 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 excellent promise. It is 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 botrytized 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 botrytized flavors, richness, acidity, great intensity, and finesse. This is a heavenly thrill. It may develop to be better than 2010, but I would like to know if it will compete with 2001.
Climens 2010 99p
Tasted five times - last time in April 2016. Consistent notes. Great intensity of botrytized 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. It's 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. It is 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 the striking depth and intensity of botrytized 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. It has 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 botrytized acacia honey, apricot, peach, and orange flavors. It is 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 botrytized flavors than 2005. It is understandable since noble rot's journey through the 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 botrytized 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 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 a classic wine from Climens but 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. This wine is extraordinary: richness, elegance, balance, subtlety, and aftertaste. Acidity acts perfectly as the foundation 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 has great depth, delicate balance, and a caressing aftertaste. Sensual and sublime. It is lighter in texture than usual, but what elegance and finesse. It's terrific to taste already and will stay like that for an 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 are 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 botrytized and 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 four hl/ha! All the botrytized grapes harvested before the rain provided delicate sweetness, acidity, roundness, and charm. Quite forward. Drinks incredibly well already.
Climens 1999 90p
Tasted three times - last time in April 2009. Consistent notes. It is a very well-structured wine and quite intense on the nose. Acacia flower, pear, and a touch of oranges. It has a light texture, is smooth on the palate, and has a harmonious finish. It's a 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 botrytized aromas of pear and acacia flower. It possesses terrific elegance and finesse, with a 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 a 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
I tasted it in April 2009. It is an incredibly classy and sublime wine with much finesse and refinement. Acacia flower and honey are intermixed with peach and apricot. It is perfectly balanced and well-structured. It has a long and beautiful finish with a honey flavor. It will last for another 15-20 years.
Climens 1995 94p
Tasted in April 2009. Mango, pineapple, and orange peel on the nose. It is a perfectly constructed wine with superb acidity and corresponding fruit. Big, long, and creamy honeyed aftertaste. There is a spectacular quality here. 15-20 years horizontally.
Climens 1994 91p
Tasted in April 2009. The flavor of baked apple cake with brown sugar on top, botrytized aromas, and 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 the great effort of the winemaker. To be consumed in the next 4-5 years.
Climens 1990 98p
Tasted in April 2009. It is a massive wine with a lot of sugar left in it. Sweet mandarin peel, fresh-cut and candied, crème brulée, immense concentration, enormous palate. Excellent support for acidity in the fruit. Not that much elegance and finesse associated with Climens are apparent here, but the quality of this wine is exceptional. A long-term runner – 25-30 years.
Climens 1989 99p
Tasted in April 2009. It's not that big and alcoholic like in 1990. There is 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 botrytized 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. Botrytized 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 quite fresh, with acidity nicely balanced by fruit. Raisiny flavors and caramel. Noble rot did not play a significant role in 1985; instead, the botrytized flavors resulted from grapes dried by the wind. Round, nicely balanced, and with a soft finish. Drinks very well now.
Climens 1983 100p
Tasted in April 2009. A direct hit in the bull's eye here! It is simply fabulous on the nose, with extraordinary intensity and depth. Excellent acidity matches botrytized 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
I tasted it in April 2009. It is not that sweet and botrytized, but it is 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 botrytized flavors and better structure than in Clemens 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 the 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 botrytized flavors like candied orange peel with a reduced flavor of nuts and the aroma of dried apricot and prune. It is elegant and splendidly concentrated on the palate, with excellent acidity and a sophisticated, long, caressing aftertaste. It is 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 botrytized and dried fruit like orange and mandarin. Fabulous on the palate with great support of acidity. Ideal balance and a long, honeyed aftertaste. Slightly better than Climens 1979.
Climens 1977 90p
Tasted in April 2009. There are small yields at Climens in this vintage due to frost in the spring. In the vintage context, it's a successful wine on the light side, incredibly charming, round, and seductive. Acacia honey on the finish. It 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. It was a 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. It is a round, charming, drinkable wine with good sweetness. To be consumed now.
Climens 1973 92p
Tasted in April 2009. Outstanding balance between acidity and botrytized flavors of acacia honey, mandarins, orange/apricot peel, plus a touch of raisins in rum. It is surprisingly deep, refined, and has an entertaining aftertaste. It is a spectacular wine, even if it lacks a better intensity of botrytized flavors. 3-5 more years in the cellar.
Climens 1972 93p
I tasted it in April 2009. This wine is even better, more profound, and with more botrytised flavors than Climens 1973. The acidity is fresh, which ensures the wine is alive and vivid. Great work by the winemaker here! It 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 extraordinary complexity. The balance between candied fruit and acidity is simply phenomenal. Finesse, elegance, and sophisticated touch here are exceptional. What a wine! It will undoubtedly reach 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. It is simply a magnificent wine. It will stay like that until it's 45 years old.
Climens 1969 88p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2009. The darkest color of all 37 Climens is dark amber. Brown sugar. Acidity is apparent and puts sweetness in the background. There is lovely concentration and a round aftertaste. It keeps well at the moment, but this will last a maximum of a few years.
Climens 1967 100p
I tasted it in April 2009. It's da bomb! Viscous texture. It is intense, rich, and spicy, with plenty of botrytized flavors. 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 50th birthday!
Climens 1964 95p
It was tasted in April 2009. It was a magnificent showing here with great sweetness, crème brulée, great acidity, finesse, and beautiful balance! It was strikingly rich and sophisticated. The finish was gracious, smooth, and very honeyed. Awesome stuff. It should rest in the cellar for an additional period of 4-6 years.