1978 Climens
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Tasting notes
The 1978 Climens has a lucid hue. Backward on the nose at first, it reveals orange zest, mandarin, barley sugar and an incongruous, almost “chocolaty” scent, with hints of Chenin Blanc-like wet wool notes emerging. The palate is medium-bodied with a dab of spice on the entry, vibrant and tense with Clementine and quince towards its conservative finish. Yet for a 1978 Sauternes, there is decent persistence. Tasted April 2009. Tasted at Château Climens.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
TA 4 g/l (sulphuric) RS 106g/l 90-2018 Rich, aromatic bitter orange and a woody, cedary-spice overlay, tons of barley sugar and very youthful and wonderfully zesty aromas still even though there was not much botrytis in this vintage. Concentrated, dense and with a lovely tension from the acidity and woody spice. Deliciously bright and very long. (JH)
Coppery gold. Sweet yet pungent on the nose. Very round and classic – lovely finesse and liquidity – which sounds idiotic as a tasting note but I mean that it just flows over the palate. Great subtlety. A certain putty character and lots of sweetness without any burnt quality but very appetising! Long. Hint of grapefruit keeps it lively. Good for drinking now. Still some slight astringence and marked acidity though this is far from tart! (JR)
The 1978 Climens is slightly more concentrated than the 1979, but like the 1979, it lacks the extra dimension that botrytis gives these wines. Because of the weather conditions, little botrytis formed in this vintage. The 1978 is a plump wine, with a fat, fruity concentration, moderate sweetness, full body, and a top-class bouquet of grilled nuts, flowers, and candied apples. This is an elegant wine. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 2/85.
About the producer
Château Climens is one of Sauternes-Barsac’s leading producers of sweet wine. Classified as a Premier Cru or First Growth in 1855 it sits alongside just 10 other Premier Cru estates in Sauternes, only bettered by Ch. d’Yquem, which was granted its own elite classification of Premier Cru Supérieur.