2019 Chateau Climens Asphodele Grand Vin Blanc

2019 Chateau Climens Asphodele Grand Vin Blanc

2019 Chateau Climens Asphodele Grand Vin Blanc The nose is very subtle and delicate, with an evident minerality: we can feel cold stones, a hint of smokiness and salinity. It gives an impression of morning dew freshness, with scents of fresh lemon, vetiver, and honeysuckle. It’s still slightly closed in the mouth, needing aeration to get more expressive. With aeration the wine expresses its full potential and we find the subtle complexity promised by its perfumes. Although very elegant, it is also mouthfilling, and the finish is long and tense. Minerality is a critical point that gives the wine its shape: it creates a smooth and bright texture. The thirst-quenching freshness is evident and reminds us of spring.

You may find other or completely different aromas and tastes. The point is the harmony and serenity of all that is so quietly and seamlessly packed into this unoaked dry Semillon, the first dry wine to be released from the celebrated biodynamic Premier Cru Barsac, Sauternes estate.

Bérénice Lurton, Château Climens‘ owner and manager, had always wanted to make a dry white wine. A meeting with Pascal Jolivet, whose Sancerre wines she admires, sealed it. The timing was good. Coming after spring frosts had destroyed Climens’ 2017 crop, the project “gave a new impetus when it was most needed,” she says.With Pascal Jolivet acting as a consultant, the 2019 Asphodèle, was made by applying and adapting Jolivet principles to Climens’ biodynamic production: grapes from younger vines (planted 1997–2012), picked early at perfect freshness based on tasting and analysis, spontaneous fermentation in small stainless steel tanks, lees ageing for 8 months and no oak. The 2020 will follow and is, says Bérénice, delicious and has been produced in a satisfactory quantity.