2000 Climens
By Chateau Climens
2000 Climens from Chateau Climens, Sauternes, Bordeaux
In the prestigious realm of sweet wines, the 2000 Climens from Chateau Climens in Sauternes has indubitably etched its name amongst the pantheon of illustrious vintages. This year was marked by an almost serendipitous interplay of the region's climate and terroir, yielding a vintage that resonates with the very soul of Sauternes.
Exceptional Fabric of a Millennium Vintage
The millennial year delivered to us an offering wrapped in the warmth of ample sunlight and just enough precipitation to coax the noble rot, Botrytis cinerea, to perform its alchemic wonders on the vineyard's Semillon grapes. The 2000 Climens is a paragon of this exceptional balance—a symphony in which every note is struck with precision and clarity.
A Vintage Distinct in Character and Poise
The defining characteristics of this particular year lie not merely within its expected sweetness but in its surprising and vivacious acidity that acts as a counterbalance, bringing about an almost ethereal harmony. On the palate, the 2000 vintage unfurls gracefully with opulent layers of candied fruits, including apricot and honeyed peach, alongside enchanting notes of ginger and saffron. Investing in such a Climens rewards not just the palate but also the astute collector, for this vintage continues to evolve magnificently two decades hence.
It is noteworthy to consider that the 2000 Climens is a lustrous testament to the meticulous craftsmanship at Chateau Climens. It stands as a vintage distinguished by both its immediate hedonistic pleasure and its remarkable longevity—a vintage that indeed possesses an inherent propensity for growing richer with time.
In summing up, one cannot overstate the allure of this liquid gold from Sauternes. The investment potential embedded within each bottle of the celestial 2000 Climens from Chateau Climens beckons; it promises not just a taste of perfection but also whispers of a tangible appreciation over years to come.
Market price (GBP)
£690.00
12x75cl
Highest score
91
POP score
62.73
Scores and tasting notes
The proprietors are extremely happy with what they were able to produce in 2000. Even though this vintage has a poor reputation, producers who only included the early-picked grapes in their final blends have often turned out nearly exceptional wines. Yields for the 2000 Climens were microscopic (four hectoliters per hectare) and the wine, although somewhat monolithic (I tasted it right after bottling), exhibits honeyed citrus, pineapple, and hints of pears, butter, and honeysuckle. Medium-bodied and elegant, with superb purity (a hallmark of this great estate), it should be at its finest between 2007-2020.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 22 April 2003