Climens 2010

Pale to medium lemon-gold colored, the 2010 Climens offers a lifted, floral nose of orange blossoms and jasmine over a core of lime cordial, grapefruit oil and dried apricots plus hints of lemon preserves and ginger nut. Very sweet, hedonic and fantastically seductive in the mouth, the concentration is beautifully offset by lovely freshness, finishing with fantastic length. 2020 - 2050

Experience has told me that Chateau Climens 2010 never really gets into its stride during its first decade in bottle and the 2010 is included. It seems a little muffled at first, especially in the context of some very delineated aromatics for this Sauternes vintage, but it gains clarity with aeration. The palate is well-balanced with an unctuous entry. The acidity seems lower than its peers but this really benefits from time in the glass, becoming ever more pixelated and poised. While it pales against the 2009, this constitutes a follow-up worth seeking out rather than squirrelling away. Drink 2018-2035+.

Attractive nose with hazelnuts, vanilla and apricot. Lots of dried orange peel and honey in this excellent sweet wine. Dense and very sweet on the palate with bright acidity and wonderful purity of fruit. Soft, well-balanced and very elegant long finish. Medium sweetness. Intense botrytis spice on finish. Better in 2016.

There is the vintage tanginess in this wine but also the property's trademark purity and unctuousness. As usual, it was not possible to taste (or give the analysis of) anything approximating to the final blend - just lots from the various pickings in late September and October - but this is looking like a top quality rendition of 2010, even if not a big and blossomy as the 2009. Please note that the analytical data are estimations from Bill Blatch. RS 145g/l, TA 4.2. 14%