Product Overview
The 2011 Château Climens Barsac is classified as a 1er Cru Classé and is made solely from Sémillon. This noble sweet white wine is graceful and elegant, but also has strength and magnificence and is the quintessential expression of this appellation. Barsac is the only village within Sauternes to benefit from its own appellation, and Château Climens is known as the "Lord of Barsac". Its history dates back to the 16th century, and only five families have owned the estate from its origins. This is a rare occurrence, which explains why its surface area in a continuous single vineyard has practically remained unchanged since the date of its creation. In 1971, Lucien Lurton, already the owner of several famous classified growths in the Médoc, was won over by the finesse of the Climens wines and acquired the château. It was in 1992 that his daughter Bérénice Lurton took over the château's destiny.
Varietal Composition: 100% Sémillon
Appellation: Barsac AOC, Sauternes
Residual Sugar: 142.8 g/L
97 Points, #15 on "Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2015" - Wine Enthusiast
"This is a rich, complex wine, full of dry botrytis that is surrounded by ripe honey. Spice, white peach and green plum jelly give complexity and variety. The acidity at the end is beautiful. The wine is already enticing but will need many years to develop fully. Drink from 2022." -RV, 5/1/15
97 Points, "Collectibles" - Wine Spectator
"Still tight, with an energetic core of white peach, creamed pineapple, persimmon and white ginger flavors. The backdrop of orange blossom and singed almond notes adds extra dimension on the finish. This will go a long way in the cellar. Best from 2016 through 2035. 4,025 cases made." -JM, 3/31/14
96 Points - Vinous
"Bright gold-tinged yellow. Knockout nose combines lime, pineapple, honeyed peach and cinnamon, complicated by very pure floral botrytis. Dense and ripe but vibrant too, with strong spice character and harmonious acidity enlivening the wine's highly expressive lemon and tropical fruit flavors. Finishes broad, tactile and very complex, with terrific length and a lingering spicy nuance. A star of the vintage." -ID, Jul/2014
93 Points - Wine Advocate
"Pale lemon-gold in color, the 2011 Climens opens with stuck flint and earthy notions over a core of tropical fruit—pineapple and guava—plus wafts of fungi and fresh straw. The palate lends oodles of complex layers with plenty of botrytis-inspired complexity melding with the ripe tropical notes, finishing with great length. Tempting to drink now, it should reward cellaring over 20+ years." -LPB, 8/31/18
