Barsac 1er Cru Chateau Climens 2012

The Barsac 1er Cru Chateau Climens is simply one of the most important dessert wines in the world, renowned since ancient times for its elegance and expressive generosity. It is no coincidence that Chateau Climens has been classified as a Premier Cru Supérieur winery, the highest category after the legendary Chateau d’Yquem, in the official 1855 Bordeaux wine classification commissioned by Napoleon III. The uniqueness of this Barsac lies in the fact that it is produced exclusively from Sémillon grapes, in contrast to most châteaux in the Sauternes and Barsac regions, which include Sauvignon Blanc to add freshness to their wines. The decision to use pure Sémillon stems from the exceptional quality of the Chateau Climens vineyards, capable of imparting freshness directly from the soil's minerality.

The Chateau Climens Barsac 1er Cru is a 100% Sémillon wine from vines cultivated according to biodynamic farming principles, certified since 2014. The vines grow on soils with a thin layer of sandy clay rich in iron atop a limestone subsoil. The area's unique microclimate, characterized by morning mists followed by sunny afternoons, promotes the development of noble rot on the grapes, which are harvested by hand in multiple passes. Vinification takes place in small batches using French oak barrels, 30-40% of which are new. The wine is then aged in these barrels for 20-22 months before final bottling.

In the glass, the Barsac 1er Cru Chateau Climens displays a light golden yellow hue. Its complex and refined aromatic bouquet offers hints of lemon zest, candied fruit, dried peach, fig, toasted walnut, and lemon cream, enhanced by nuances of saffron, hay, and allspice. The taste is very sweet yet lively, with a warm and smooth progression that rests on a fresh and intensely spiced finish.