100% semillon. Aged in a mix of one-third new 1-year and 2-year old barrels. Climens does not present classic barrel samples as the final assemblage is yet to be determined. But we did taste a number of parcels six samples representing six different tries or harvest days directly from barrel. Each portion highlighted a different profile ranging from clean bright and fresh to richer and more textured. #1 - Sept. 8: Exotic and ripe tropical notes with an emphasis on elegance and freshness. Pure and vibrant. #2 - Sept. 12: Showing more depth concentration and richness verging on honey with more noticeable spice. 3# - Sept. 15: Hitting more marmalade and citrus rind flavors with moderate weight spice and fresh acidity. #4 - Sept. 18: Represents 40% of the harvest. A deeper gold color than earlier samples showing lots of spice and honey with vibrant citrus and mineral characters and a slightly fat and nutty element. Superb complexity. #5 -Sept. 21: Brilliant yellow gold color. Marzipan and orange rind. Mouthwatering really rich and buttery with coconut crème and lemon curd flavors. #6 - Sept. 28: Returning to a leaner profile and more citrus elements plus clementine floral and vanilla bean flavors all while showing a rich nutty character that expresses bright citrus and mineral notes. Symmetry on all levels with not one sample evidently out of proportion or balance. One can only imagine the potential of the final blend but based on these samples this promises to be a truly outstanding wine that will last for decades to come.

Moving to the Grand Vin, the 2011 Château Climens reveals a still youthful gold color to go with impressive marzipan, brioche, honeycomb, and sauteed peach and apricot-like fruits. With beautiful balance on the palate, it's full-bodied and has a vibrant spine of acidity followed by a clean, lengthy finish. This beautiful, complex Sauternes is going to evolve for 20-30 years or more in cold cellars.

This is a rich, complex wine, full of dry botrytis that is surrounded by ripe honey. Spice, white peach and green plum jelly give complexity and variety. The acidity at the end is beautiful. The wine is already enticing but will need many years to develop fully. Drink from 2022.

Still tight, with an energetic core of white peach, creamed pineapple, persimmon and white ginger flavors. The backdrop of orange blossom and singed almond notes adds extra dimension on the finish. This will go a long way in the cellar. Best from 2016 through 2035. 4,025 cases made. –JM

(96 points) I love drinking young Sauternes. No, make that older sweet wines. Even better, they are just great at all stages. This sweet treat offered a blast of pineapple, apricot and spicy tropical fruits with all the honey you could handle. Purity and refinement was racy acidity and a long, juicy, sweet finish. Drink this today or age it for decades, either way it's a super treat.

The 2011 Climens repeated its performance from a few months ago. There is a tangible richness on the nose, touches of honeycomb and chalk infusing the honeyed fruit before those fig-like scents begin to emerge. The palate is beautifully balanced, unctuous in the mouth with a lovely salinity coming through on the long finish. It is way too young to strut its stuff at the moment, so afford it at least a decade in bottle. Tasted April 2016. - Neal Martin

The 2011 Climens has a fresh, lifted, mineral-driven bouquet which has closed down a little. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh. A lively, tensile finish, with hints of stem ginger that linger on the aftertaste. This is drinking beautifully. Tasted at the Climens vertical at the château in April 2022. -- Neal Martin