Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
75cl * 13% ABV * Bordeaux, France
Climens is regarded as the finest Barsac property. Huge amounts of work in the vineyard and the winery goes into the finest of Bordeaux's sweet wines - aside from unproblematic conditions during the majority of the year, misty autumn mornings along the riverbanks must provide just the ideal conditions for noble rot to develop in the grapes, which are then hand-harvested in 'tries'. But from such work comes such reward: here, notes of sweet juicy peaches drizzled in honey and ginger, thick-cut marmalade and green tea combine on a palate of other worldly richness. Unctuous in texture with a needed lift of acidity, this has plenty of scope for long bottle maturation. Drink to 2040+.
98 Points , Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 2012: 'Tasted single blind against its peers. Chateau Climens always tends to go into its shell after bottling, which is probably why I was not dishing out an even higher score to this still, spellbinding Barsac. The 2007 is endowed with a lovely bouquet: very pure with honey, a touch of orange-blossom and a touch of quince. The palate is very well-balanced with great purity and a dash of spice as well as a lovely viscous, botrytis-laden finish that possesses awesome weight and persistency. This is a slice of heaven in a glass, but it definitely needs time to reveal its true potential.'