Château Climens 2009

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Climens 2009

Tasting

Appearance
The wine shows a medium golden hue with silvery highlights.

Nose
The nose is radiant and complex, revealing aromas of apricot, honey and nectarine. With aeration, the bouquet deepens with notes of quince, sweet spices and saffron, alongside nuances of green tea, powdered ginger and lemon marmalade. Floral hints of orange blossom and honeysuckle complete this refined aromatic palette.

Palate
The palate captivates with a creamy, velvety texture while retaining remarkable freshness. The attack reveals flavors of toasted almonds, ginger cream and glazed apples, while notes of marmalade and citrus zest bring an invigorating tension. The long, persistent finish unfolds with aromas of quince, almond and honey, with a touch of green tea that extends the tasting experience.

Food and wine pairings

This Château Climens 2009 pairs beautifully with foie gras, whose richness is balanced by the wine’s freshness. It also matches fruit-based desserts such as a strawberry or raspberry pavlova, as well as apricot-based preparations. Blue cheeses also make a harmonious pairing. More daringly, this wine can accompany fine poultry or certain Asian dishes with rich, spicy sauces.

Serving and cellaring

Château Climens 2009 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature between 8 and 10°C. This vintage can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve until around 2050, developing greater complexity over time.

An elegant Barsac with immense aging potential

The estate

Château Climens, Premier Cru Classé in 1855, ranks among the most prestigious estates in the Barsac appellation. Established in 1547, the estate now covers 32 hectares in a single contiguous plot. Acquired by Lucien Lurton in 1971, it was led by his daughter Bérénice Lurton from 1992, who brought an innovative momentum by converting the vineyard to biodynamics. In 2022, the Moitry family, led by Jean-Hubert Moitry, acquired a majority stake in the property. Bérénice Lurton continues to support the estate as an advisor, while Frédéric Nivelle, technical director since 1998, ensures the continuity of excellence. The estate stands out for its unique commitment to Sémillon, the only grape variety planted on the property, located in the Bordeaux region.

The vineyard

The Château Climens vineyard occupies an exceptional terroir, on a plateau rising to around 20 meters above sea level. The soils consist of a thin layer of iron-rich clay sands with characteristic reddish hues, resting on a fissured base of limestone with asterias fossils. This unique geological formation, 30 million years old, provides perfect drainage while regulating the vines’ water supply thanks to an underground karst network. The local microclimate, marked by alternating morning mists and afternoon sunshine, encourages the development of the noble rot essential to crafting great sweet wines. The Sémillon vines, with an average age of 38 years, are planted at a density of 6,600 vines per hectare and cultivated according to biodynamic principles.

The vintage

The 2009 vintage in Barsac was marked by a hot, sunny summer, followed by beneficial rainfall in mid-September that encouraged the development of noble rot. Morning fogs and sunshine then continued their work on the grapes, allowing optimal concentration in a remarkably short time. Harvest took place from September 28 to October 16, 2009, in three successive passes. Exceptional conditions made it possible to pick around 90% of the crop between October 2 and 9, under particularly favorable weather. This unusual synchronization of botrytization contributed to the vintage’s outstanding quality and balance.

Winemaking and aging

The Château Climens 2009 harvest was carried out by hand in small crates, with rigorous selection of grapes affected by noble rot. After pressing and settling, the musts were transferred to barrels for fermentation. Aging took place over an extended period, allowing the wine to develop its complexity while preserving its hallmark freshness.

Grape variety

100% Sémillon