Castle Climens - Barsac 2007

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe6/28/2010

Recht dunkles Gelb mit erstem Goldschimmer, brillant. Dichtes Bouquet, nach Reineclauden und Mirabellen duftend, helle Honignoten, dezenter Butterschimmer, der sich mit feiner Botrytis vermischt. Am Gaumen füllig, cremig, viel Saft, weiche Textur, wirkt im Moment verhalten und zeigt auf, dass man auch auf einen grossen Barsac mindestens 10 Jahre warten sollte. Also: Nicht berühren! 2015-2060.

Wine Advocate

99 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2010

Tasted twice at UGC tastings, it was actually under blind conditions that the Climens 2007 re-confirmed its status as the best Sauternes of the vintage. It retains an ethereal bouquet of honey, white peach, apricot and orange-blossom with ethereal purity and joie de vivre. The palate is medium-bodied with exquisite balance and essence of mineralite. It balances on tiptoe with perfect acidity that effortlessly counterpoises those layers of rich honeyed fruit; the finish taut, vibrant and with a sense of place. This is outstanding in every way. Perfect? I would not bet against it deserving that loaded adjective one day in the future. Drink 2015-2050.(99+ points)

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2010

This delivers loads of citrus aromas, along with dried apricot and honey on the nose, as well as toffee. Full-bodied, with a medium sweetness, spicy, fruity flavors and a long, racy, spicy finish. There's toffee and caramel as well. Hard not to drink now. Best after 2014.

Decanter Magazine

18,5 / 20

the2/28/2010

Lifted nose, delicate oak, pure and refined. Elegant and silky, with poised apricot fruit and superb length. Drink 2012-2030.

Jancis Robinson

18 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe10/27/2009

Looks very heavy and syrupy. Really exciting nose - smells as though biodynamic because there is so much going on here! Wild flowers, honey, mandarin peel. Yes!!!!! So far by far the best 2007 I have tasted (and I have tasted all the Médoc crus classés). Slightly bitter, refreshing note on the end. Long and interesting. Great stuff, even if not as heavy as the 2001. Drink 2013-30

Wine Advocate

98-100 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/12/2009

The final blend (although not blended in the cellars.) The nose has certainly closed down since last year, tightly coiled. However the palate is superb: brilliant definition and weight of fruit. Incredibly pure with notes of honey, fresh apricots, a touch of citrus lemon and passion fruit, wonderful tension and length on the finish. Perhaps the wine of the vintage? Awesome purity and length. The wine of the vintage although I think it will close down after bottling…you have been warned! Drink 2015-2050. Tasted April 2009.

Le Point

18 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/15/2008

Lot du 27 septembre :Richesse très forte en sucre, du 150 grammes, avec une puissance aromatique exubérante, pêche blanche, agrumes, mirabelle, long, bien soutenu par l'acidité, une sensation moins sucrée que certaines années. Très botrytisé sur les lots d'après le 15 octobre, beaucoup plus d'élégance. Lot du 19 octobre : très forte en acidité. Lot du 22 octobre : très complet avec une acidité qui équilibre tout. Au final, des lots très homogènes, aucun ne semble démériter. On se demande avec quelles barriques Bérénice Lurton va pouvoir faire un second vin...

TAST

/ 100

the4/28/2008

Comme toujours, l’assemblage final n’est pas encore fait et donc le vin ne peut être noté. La dégustation de tous les lots séparés impressionne par la pureté presque magique des parfums et l’extrême définition du terroir. Mon sentiment intime (ndlr : Michel Bettane) est qu’il pourrait même dépasser Yquem dans ce millésime. Non notable

Jancis Robinson

18 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/22/2008

As usual, no finished blend of this wine was available for tasting. Instead we tasted five different possible ingredients, and this year a first possible pre-assemblage blend - one of 39 pre-assemblages. It is truly sobering to think how much wine must be expectorated before Bérénice Lurton and her team are happy to bottle a final blend. The most thrilling was a sample picked on 17 Oct as part of the relatively big second trie, or passage through the vineyard. It had a heady aroma of hazelnuts and was amazingly substantial in terms of both body and richness, the keynote of the best 2007 Sauternes. A slightly dry finish (something evident on the Yquem 2007 too) but so fascinating in terms of its array of elements. The wines from the first trie were much lighter and simpler but had great clarity and freshness while the third trie’s produce seemed lighter than the second too. But overall, this should be a very promising year for Climens.