Climens Barsac 2011

Category:
 
Sweet Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Muscat
Producer:
 
Climens
Label Name:
 
Barsac
Vintage:
 
2011
Country:
 
France
Region:
 
Barsac (Sauternes), Bordeaux
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
13.5%
Grape(s):
 
Sémillon (100%)
Acidity:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
5
Body:
 
4
Length:
 
5
Aroma Intensity:
 
5
Best Temperature:
 
10-12°C

Awards/Ratings
Notable scores: Wine Spectator 97 (2014); Wine Enthusiast 97 (2015); Vinous ~96; James Suckling ~96; Wine Advocate ~93

Tasting Note
Opulent botrytized Sémillon: honeyed apricot, pineapple, orange blossom, ginger and toasted almond, with lively saline minerality and bright acidity balancing concentrated sweetness; very long, spicy, honeyed finish.

Food Pairing
Western: foie gras, blue cheese (Roquefort), fruit tarts, tarte Tatin, roast duck. Asian: Peking duck, Cantonese roast pork, spicy Thai curries, Sichuan-spiced dishes, sushi/uni (salty-sweet contrasts).

Production Method
Hand-harvested with multiple selective passes for botrytized fruit; native-yeast fermentation partly in oak; aged ~18–22 months in barrel (approx. 30–40% new). Biodynamic viticulture.

Vineyard Info
Château Climens (‘Lord of Barsac’) is a Premier Cru Classé single-estate (~30 ha) historically owned by the Lurton family; converted to biodynamic viticulture around 2010 and produces only Sémillon grand vin and a second wine (Cyprès).