1996 Chateau Climens 1er Cru Barsac [JG92][V92][WS90]

Producer: Chateau Climens 
Region: Sauternes, Bordeaux, France  
Varietal: Sauternes 
Year: 1996 

John Gilman, 92 Points 

"The 1996 Climens is a very lovely bottle of wine, but it can not quite match the complexity of a more heavily botrytized vintage such as 2005. The very lovely bouquet is a blend of pineapple, lemon oil, honeycomb, chalky soil tones and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, racy and long, with a nice core of dried orange fruit at the core, sound acids and good length and grip on the finish. It is odd that the 1996, with nine more years bottle age, shows less complexity than the 2005, but this is probably just a reflection of superb the 2005 vintage is in Barsac. I would give the 1996 Climens just a few more years to fully blossom and then plan to drink it over the ensuing twenty-five or thirty years." 

Vinous, 92 Points 

"The 1996 Climens is attractive on the nose with vibrant scents of barley sugar, saffron, mandarin and melted wax. Fine delineation, it meliorates in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied, poised and a little more citrus than expected, tangerine and honey mixed with ginger towards the finish that fans out with confidence. Excellent." 

Wine Spectator, 90 Points 

"A very young and very fine sticky wine, with intense botrytis spice aromas and hints of lemon rind and mineral. Full-bodied and medium sweet, with lively acidity and a long, sweet fruit and almond cake finish. Best after 2003." 

Alcohol: 14% 

*Price and availability in store may vary. Vintage date may differ from pictured.