Wine Advisor
Climens 1990
View analysis
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1990 may turn out to be better than the 1989, but I doubt it will rival the 1986 or 1988. It is a more powerful example of Climens than those vintages. Climens is one 1990 that possesses enough crisp acidity to give focus to the super-rich, honeyed, citrusy, tropical fruit, and coconut-like flavors. It is all finesse, but the multidimensional personality is unmistakable. The 1990 is another superlative wine from what is probably my favorite estate of the region. Drink it over the next 20-25 years. Last tasted, 1/93.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
I absolutely adore this 1990 - certainly one of the best I tasted. A moderately deep golden hue. The nose has spellbinding definition and finesse. Vanilla, orange-blossom and acacia. A little marmalade just creeping in. The palate does not disappoint. An incredibly unctuous texture with citrus lemon, apricot, creme brulee. So rich and ravishing! Honeyed finish and an impressive length. Everything you could wish for in a sweet wine. Tasted June 2004.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at the Bordeaux Index’s Chateau Climens dinner. A deeper hue than the ’89, this ’90 Climens has a powerful bouquet with barley sugar, tangerine, orange zest and honeycomb, the palate viscous on the entry, fat and full of glycerine, with tangy marmalade, honey, dried apricot and a touch of lemongrass right on the finish. This is a big-boned Climens, heady and hedonistic, although perhaps both the ’88 and ’90 and beginning to show more refinement? Like the ’89, the bottle tasted at the chateau in April showed better. Tasted November 2009.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
I am encouraged that this wine may turn out to be better than the 1989, but I doubt it will rival the 1986 or 1988. It is a more powerful example of Climens than those vintages. Climens is one 1990 that possesses crisp acidity to give focus to the super-rich, honeyed, citrusy, tropical fruit, and coconut-like flavors. In the mouth, it is all finesse, but the multi-dimensional personality is unmistakable. The 1990 is another superlative wine from what is probably my favorite estate of the region. Drink it over the next 20-25 years.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1990 continues to develop exceptionally well (better than I thought), and now looks to be a worthy rival of the dazzling 1988. The superb aromatics (pineapple, acacia, vanilla, and honey) are followed by a rich, full-bodied, atypically powerful Climens that possesses adequate acidity, high alcohol, and even higher levels of extract and fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2030. Last tasted 11/94
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at Chateau Climens. A limpid golden hue. The nose is just glorious with plumes of quince, fruit cake, honey, mango and petrol soaring from the glass with superb definition. The palate is one big mouthful of botrytis-rich Barsac: mango, honey, spice, quince and a hint of kerosene. What sets it apart is the balance and the acidity cutting a swathe through all the richness on the unctuous finish. Enormous length. A stunning Climens. Drink now-2040. Tasted April 2009.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1990 continues to develop exceptionally well (better than I thought), and now looks to be a worthy rival of the dazzling 1988. The superb aromatics (pineapple, acacia, vanilla, and honey) are followed by a rich, full-bodied, atypically powerful Climens that possesses adequate acidity, high alcohol, and even higher levels of extract and fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2030.
About the Producer
Château Climens is a wine producer located in the Sauternes village of Barsac on the left bank of the Gironde river, south of Bordeaux. It was classified as a first growth in the 1885 Classification of Sauternes and Barsac alongside other châteaux such as Guiraud and Suduiraut. Climens is one of only a handful of châteaux in Bordeaux that produces its wines from only one grape: Semillon. The wine is characterized by fresh citrus notes, white flowers and spice, which becomes more honeyed and concentrated with age. Semillon thrives on the limestone-rich soils in the vineyards. Botrytis develops on the grapes because of the misty mornings, humidity and warmer afternoons that are typical during the months before harvest. If the grapes are not of the highest quality, or if botrytis has not properly formed, owner Bérénice Lurton and her team will not produce their top wine, the grand vin Château Climens. They have been bold enough in the past to declassify an entire harvest of fruit – either selling the grapes off to other producers rather than bottling as their own or releasing wines under secondary labels. The grapes are harvested and brought into the winery, plot by plot, where they are gently pressed before fermentation in oak barrels. Maturation takes place in French oak barrels on lees for about 20 months. Wines from the best vintages can last decades – a recent tasting of the 1921 vintage revealed a rich, balanced and zesty wine. Château Climens has been owned by the Lurton family since the 1970s (when it was acquired by Lucien Lurton), and in 1992 the estate came under the control of Bérénice Lurton (his daughter). In 2010, Climens began to practice biodynamic winemaking and viticulture, and the 2014 vintage was the first to be entirely certified as biodynamic. Chemical sprays were replaced with natural preparations and plant infusions, from flowers such as chamomile and juniper which are grown on the estate and dried in the attics above the chais.
