Château Climens

Château Climens exclusively produces intensely sweet white wine in the Barsac appellation, which is a sub-region of the Sauternes district in Bordeaux. Unlike some other Sauternes estates that might blend Sauvignon Blanc, Climens crafts its wine from 100% Sémillon grapes. The estate relies on the morning mists from the Ciron river to encourage *Botrytis cinerea*, or noble rot.

Known for its elegance and finesse, Château Climens typically offers intense aromas of honey, apricot, candied citrus peel, and saffron. It is often described as having a more delicate, floral character compared to the heavier, more unctuous Sauternes from neighboring estates. The high natural acidity of the Sémillon perfectly balances the luscious sweetness on the palate.

In the official 1855 Classification of Bordeaux wines, commissioned by Napoleon III, Château Climens was ranked as a Premier Cru (First Growth) in the Sauternes and Barsac category. It was one of only 11 estates to receive this prestigious designation for sweet wines. This ranking solidified its reputation as one of the best dessert wines in the world.

Château Climens has a long history of female leadership, which is a rarity in the Bordeaux wine industry. Since 2014, the estate has been run by Bérénice Lurton, who took over from her father, Lucien Lurton. She has championed organic and biodynamic viticulture at the estate, converting the vineyards fully in recent years.