Château Climens 2003

Loads of honey, maple syrup, dried apricot and spice. Full-bodied, medium-sweet, with a refined, spicy character. Pretty wine. Masses of botrytis. This is refined and long, a racy wine compared with the power and muscle of so many others. Beauty among the beasts. Best after 2012. 2,300 cases made.

Aromas of dried mushroom. Full-bodied, bright acidity and a volatile undertone. Some spice. Not showing well at first, but then it opens into a pretty fresh and spicy Sauternes.

The 2003 Climens is missing a bit of complexity on the nose, just a little Alsace-like with age, a touch of petrol and quince. The palate is tangy on the entry, fine acidity considering the vintage, yet it lacks complexity and minerality on the finish. I am not an ardent admirer of this vintage in Sauternes and feel that this is shown up by the superior vintages either side. Tasted at the Climens vertical at the château in April 2022.

Thick, rich, sweet, intense and filled with overripe apricots, oranges, pineapple, nectarine, vanilla bean and a massive layer of honey. Not as bright or fresh as 2001, but the wine avoids being cloying. The sweet, tropical fruit, nuts, candied orange and honey finish will put a smile on the face of any sweet wine lover.

Fairly intense yellow, bright rim. Actually surprisingly pale compared with the vintage’s Sauternes. The nose is enchanting: acacia honey, ripe figs, light caramel, freshly roasted almonds, light freshly spun honey and very light chopped raisins. On the palate, like a beautiful melody, opulent but not heavy, with an intoxicating, mineral, long finish. Slightly weightier than a Barsac, but exactly as substantial as a great Sauternes.

162 grams of residual sugar, 3.6 acidity. Medium yellow, bright. Rich, compote-like bouquet, lots of apricots, a bouquet that recalls a big Sauternes rather than a Barsac. Rich, full palate, showing great minerality, greengages, acacia honey, pectin, extremely sweet yet equipped with perfectly matching acidity. Never has a Climens tasted so much like Yquem. (20/20). 10: Medium-dark yellow, thus quite intense, with a bright rim. Actually surprisingly light for a 2003 compared with other Sauternes. The nose is enchanting: acacia honey, ripe figs, light caramel, freshly roasted almonds, light freshly spun honey and chopped, very light raisins. On the palate like a beautiful melody, opulent but not overloaded and carried by an intoxicating mineral perfume in the long finish. A little heavier than a Barsac but exactly as weighty as a truly great Sauternes.

Fresh, lush and full bouquet with grapefruit, passion fruit, marzipan and candied honey. Dense, velvety, opulent palate with very pronounced sweetness, very good acidity, a silky structure and powerful aromatics. Very long, concentrated finish. 20/20 2016 - 2060

Magnificent creaminess, plenty of freshness for the vintage, a finish of green Chartreuse with a hint of rhubarb, long, complex, unusual but magnificent!

Colour with deep golden highlights. The bouquet displays exceptional freshness, revealing notes of lemongrass and mandarin zest followed by spicy nuances, aromas of raisins and caramel. Very silky on the palate, the wine shows dazzling form thanks to its minerality and acid structure. A great Climens, with striking freshness and impressive density.

This is the greatest Climens I have tasted in 40 years. A dream glides across the palate!

No tasting note was given.