2016 Climens 6 Pack

96 POINTS

Neal Martin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2016 Climens was tasted from the 12 different lots that will go into the Grand Vin, with some selected from the Deuxième Vin, Cyprès de Climens. As usual, I had to assemble them in my mind and relate commonalities, though at a négoçiant a week later I re-tasted four preprepared micro-blends. I found much elegance this year. It is not a powerful Climens in the making and even with the higher alcohol lots that reached 14.9%, you could not feel any warmth and the wines maintained the tension. Some lots displayed saline finishes, perhaps a little more than usual. Perhaps the most important factor was just how "Barsac" they all tasted. Sometimes some lots can taste more Sauternes-like in style, but not this year.

96 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Pale lemon-gold colored, the 2016 Climens is a little youthfully mute, revealing notions of ripe peaches, mango and musk melon with touches of cedar chest, orange blossoms, candied ginger and baking bread. Bursting in the mouth with vibrant, energetic stone fruit and tropical layers, it is framed by fantastic freshness, finishing long and creamy.

96 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Pale lemon colored, the 2016 Climens has a super intense nose of lemon marmalade, candied orange peel, crystallized ginger and lime tart with touches of musk perfume and fungi. The palate is wonderfully intense and refreshing with loads of layers and an epic finish.

95 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2016 Climens has a tightly wound bouquet, perhaps a little more mineral-driven than its peers, featuring detailed orange pith, honey and marmalade aromas that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is very well balanced with a viscous, honeyed opening. This is a touch richer and creamier than its peers, but it is not cloying and delivers a lovely crème brûlée and toffee apple finish that lingers. Superb. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

94 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

Climens hold blending tastings every few weeks during maturation, and generally the final blend is made in the November of the year after harvest. Climens only needed two 'tries' through the vineyard here, which has been the case for two or three years as it goes so smoothly. The first tri took place on 20th September following 40mm of rain in mid September, which helped to kick-start the botrytis. The overall yield of around 20hl/ha mainly avoided mildew, and importantly proved that biodynamics can withstand difficult climatic conditions. They work with individual lots here to ensure the right balance, and tasting through several lots the homogeneity of quality is really impressive this year. The overall impression is of smooth citrus fruits with a succulent, velvety rich texture and a beautiful creaminess. There are toffee and nut notes and a gorgeous focus, with true salinity on the finish. The 3.7pH is very close to last year's acidity analysis.

94 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

I tasted the 2016 Climens from four separate lots identified by location, harvest dates, alcohol, residual sugar and the percentage each lot represents of the harvest. The four wines were remarkably different. The Nord was both plush and tropical-leaning, yet with notable freshness, while the Sud managed to be both deep and also light on its feet. I found the Ouest to be the most precise and aromatically lifted of the samples, while the Est was the most concentrated. A simple, impromptu blend of the four lots suggests the 2016 Climens is shaping up to be a magnificent Barsac. The interplay of the various components is quite remarkable. Points: 93-96

Jean-Marc Quarin

Couleur jaune vert. Nez intense, fruité et fin. Superbe entrée en bouche ample où le vin se développe sur un exceptionnel soyeux, avec beaucoup de goût, vers une finale longue et complexe. C’est délicieux. Score: 17/20

Jancis Robinson

Tasted blind. Sweet and polished. Smell of polish with a dry finish and racy and great greenness underneath. Put together rather than obviously and immediately gorgeous. Creamy texture, intense and long. But not together yet. Apricots. Drink 2023-2040    18/20