Chateau Climens
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Location:
Chateau Climens is in the commune of Barsac.
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Size:
There are 29 hectares under vines (70 acres) in a single
block. Production is about 4,500 cases of total wine each year.
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Classification:
Premier
Cru of Barsac-Sauternes Classification of 1855 |
Vineyard:
100% Semillion
The average age of the vines is about 35 years. The vineyards
are on the Barsac plateau which has a gentle slope. The soil
is composed of a thin red layer of sandy soil over large pebbles
and gravel. The soil has a high mineral content that is especially
rich in iron. The subsoil is made of a layer of broken limestone
that has excellent drainage. The vines are planted to a density
of 6,660 vines per hectare (about 2750 per acre). The average
yeild from these vineyards is about 12 hectolitres per hectare.
Chateau Climens is always among the first of the chateaux in
Barsac-Sauternes to begin harvest. This is possible because
on this estate the Botrytis Cinera which is necessary to make
the sweet wines, develops at a very early date each year when
compared to its neighbors.
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Vinification:
The grapes are harvested by hand as the law requires in Bordeaux.
Fermentation takes place in oak barrels. In April or May, the
wines of the previous harvest are blended to create the final
wine for the vintage. The emphasis is on creating a uniform
wine that has the finesse and balance for which Chateau Climens
is known. The wines are finally aged in oak barrels for 18 to
24 months of aging after fermentation. The time in barrels varies
according to the characteristics of the vintage. The percentage
of new oak (new barrels) can vary each year and ranges from
35% to 60%. The percentage of new barrels is determined, once
again, by the characteristics of the vintage. New barrels give
more oak characteristics than those that have previously been
used. Each year, the winemaker decides how much oak influence
the wine needs.
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History:
Since Chateau Climens was purchased by the Roborel family in
the 15th century, tradition seems to have been the watchword.
Only when technical advancements have proven themselves as ways
to improve the quality of the wines have the procedures here
changed. A good example is the cellarmaster, Christian Broustaut,
who began his work at Chateau Climens in 1969. He was trained
by his father who held the same job. Christian's father was,
in turn, trained by his own father who was also the cellarmaster
at Chateau Climens.
Chateau
Climens has been owned by the Lurton family (who is prominent
in it's ownership of 11 chateaux in the Bordeaux region) since
1971. The Lutons have divided the responsibilities for the various
estates among the members of the current generation. Bérénice
Lurton is charged with Chateau Climens.
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Style:
Chateau Climens has a wonderful balance of power and finesse.
It needs at least 10 years as a minimum to develop and can have
a life of 50 to 100 years in great vintages if
properly
stored.
Climens
is often described as having a bouquet that is highlighted by
pineapple and apricot. Those fruits are also integrated into
the taste of the wine with hints of vanilla as well. Wines from
Chateau Climens always have excellent levels of acidity. This
acidity keeps the levels of residual sugar from becoming cloying
on the palate. Chateau Climens makes one of the great sweet
wines of the world.
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Food:
Let your imagination be your guide with this beautiful wine.
Traditonal accompaniments include any of the blue-viened cheeses,
creme brulee, dried stone fruits or with rich foods like pates
and foie gras.
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Second
Wine: Cypres de Climens |
Visits
and Tours: Visitation to Chateau Climens is by appointment
only. |
33720
Barsac (France)
Phone : +33 (0) 5 56 27 15 33
Fax : +33 (0) 5 56 27 21 04
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