2007 Château Climens | IMP

Pale to medium lemon-gold color, the nose of the 2007 Climens leaps with notions of dried pineapple, lemon drops, and key lime pie, plus suggestions of candied ginger, toasted almonds, and crushed rocks. The palate is wonderfully intense with fantastic freshness and loads of bright citrusy sparks, finishing long and minerally. It is tantalizingly delicious right now with beautiful harmony and plenty of depth, but just 5-7 more years in bottle should seriously kick your experience up a few notches. The residual sugar this vintage is 151 grams per liter. (12/2022)

This delivers loads of citrus aromas, along with dried apricot and honey on the nose, as well as toffee. Full-bodied, with a medium sweetness, spicy, fruity flavors and a long, racy, spicy finish. There's toffee and caramel as well. Hard not to drink now. Best after 2014.

Tasted single blind against its peers. Chateau Climens always tends to go into its shell after bottling, which is probably why I was not dishing out an even higher score to this still, spellbinding Barsac. The 2007 is endowed with a lovely bouquet: very pure with honey, a touch of orange-blossom and a touch of quince. The palate is very well-balanced with great purity and a dash of spice as well as a lovely viscous, botrytis-laden finish that possesses awesome weight and persistency. This is a slice of heaven in a glass, but it definitely needs time to reveal its true potential. Tasted January 2011.

- Neal Martin (12/2011)