Critics Ratings

1990:
‘The 1990 Climens has a very elegant bouquet, beautifully defined with marmalade, quince and sugar barley that gains intensity with aeration. The palate is very well balanced with real intensity, stem ginger and lemongrass, a fine bead of acidity. Poised and penetrating with a long but not overdone finish, this 1990 Climens is à point. Superb. Tasted at the Climens vertical at the château in April 2022.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 94/100 (Apr 2022)

‘Actually at first seems lighter and less intense than the 1991 in terms of weight, although it has less acid. Lively nose with lots of sweetness and richness.’ – Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (Oct 2010)

‘Gorgeous. Yellow color with a gold hue. Aromas of vanilla, honey and lemon, with a hint of biscuit. Full-bodied, very sweet, with a thick texture and a long, fruity finish. Will easily age, but why wait? Drink now.’ – Wine Spectator, 94/100 (Aug 2000)

2005:
‘The 2005 Climens has an intense nose, dried honey and a touch of glycerine, tangerine and barley sugar. The palate is well balanced with a viscous opening, tangy marmalade mixed with white peach and white pepper, gaining momentum towards the finish that has real depth and penetration. This is a fabulous Climens with great complexity. Tasted at the Climens vertical at the château in April 2022.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 95/100 (Apr 2022)

‘The 2005 Climens is drinking nicely, wafting from the glass with aromas of orange oil, dried apricot and marmalade mingled with hints of honeycomb and petrol. Full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with an enveloping core of fruit, ripe acids and a seamless, textural profile, it's rich and dramatic, missing just a little cut to rank as profound—even if it nonetheless ranks as one of the finest sweet wines of the vintage in Bordeaux.’ – William Kelley, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Feb 2022)

‘Deep orangey gold. Smells of crème pâtissière. So rich! Lots of excitement and sheer weight and volume. Good energy on the finish. Marzipan notes. Unctuous.’ – Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Feb 2017)

‘Toffee, dried lemon rind and tropical fruit on the nose. Full-bodied and very sweet, with a dense palate of candied fruit and a long, sweet finish. Very concentrated. The botrytis spice creeps up on the finish. Best after 2013.’ – Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Mar 2008)

2006:
‘The 2006 Climens still feels youthful on the nose, a car revving its engine but yet to release the handbrake. The palate is medium-bodied with harmonious, honeyed marmalade and quince-tinged fruit, plenty of botrytis and perhaps here, a little more advanced than the aromatics. They will catch up in time to complete the gorgeous, quite ravishing yet tensile Climens from Bérénice Lurton and her team.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (May 2016)

‘Minty, marmalade, really complex aromatic range – smoke, toasted nuts, ripe apricots, red apples. Wonderful, magical stuff.’ – Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (Mar 2014)

‘Beautiful aromas of orange zest are followed by gingerbread, caramel and crème brûlée flavors. This is a beautiful, rich, smoothly dense wine with a core of botrytis, spice and vivid fresh citrus acidity.’ – Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, 96/100 (Mar 2009)

Provenance

Private Client