Château Climens is a Biodynamic winery in the commune of Barsac in the Barsac AOC on the left bank of the Bordeaux region. The vineyard was developed from the mid-16th-century, while the château building dates from the 17-18th-centuries. The name is pronounced by locals like clee-monce, or as Hugh Johnson (Wine Companion: 1991, p.78) describes it, with an emphatic final ‘ns’, with a sort of honking effect.

Owner: Bérenice Lurton, daughter of Lucien Lurton.

Background: 1971 Lucien Lurton purchased Château Climens from the Gounouilhou family. 1987 The château was restored. 1992 Lucien Lurton divided his estates between his 10 children. He gave Château Climens to two (of his 3) daughters, Brigitte and Bérénice (the youngest of the 10). In 2007 Bérenice took full charge here.

1855 Classification: In the 1855 Classification Château Climens was classified 1st Growth.

Staff: Cellar master: Frédéric Seville. | Biodynamic consultant: Corinne Comme.

Vineyards, Terroir: Climens was first planted in the early seventeenth century. There are 30 hectares (74 acres acres) of vineyards at Climens, in two blocks adjacent to the house, planted entirely to Sémillon. The soil has a red hue typical of the soils of Barsac, and includes a thin layer of clay and ferruginous sand, over deeper rocks of fissured limestone. The subsoil contains more rock and rather less gravel than elsewhere in Barsac, giving the wine its elegance and aroma. The land is a highpoint for the commune of Barsac, although it is actually at an elevation of only 20 meters (66 feet). The vineyard has been planted to 100% Sémillon since 1971 (Lucien Lurton replaced what little Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle there was with Sémillon). Vine density is 6,600 vines per hectare (2,672 vines/acre).

Certification: 2010 Conversion to Biodynamic certification began. | 2013 First vintage with full SIVCBD Biodyvin Biodynamic certification. | 2017 Still certified Biodynamic.

White wines

Barsac AOC, Les Cyprès de Climens: The second wine.

Barsac AOC, Château Climens The grand vin. ‘Barsac’s sweetest and richest wine,’ (Hugh Johnson: Wine Companion: 1991, p.78). | 1966 Said to be an under par Climens vintage, with raisined rather than nobly rotten berries. | 1967 Said to be a match for Château d’Yquem in this vintage. | 1970 The last pre-Lurton vintage, said to have been under-par. | 1971 A superb vintage. | 1983 Highly rated. | 1986 Highly rated. | 2013 First officially 100% Biodynamic vintage.

Contact

Château Climens

F-33720 Barsac (Gironde), France

Tel+33 (0)5.56.56.27.15.33 | Website: www.chateau-climens.fr