After exquisite Rieslings and various very good Pinot Noir, Hans served a Barsac 1er Cru 2001 from Château Climens at the end. The AOC Barsac corresponds to the area of the municipality of Barsac, one of the five municipalities of the Sauternes appellation. However, the approximately 400 hectares of the Barsac appellation are located west of the Ciron, opposite the four other Sauternes communities east of the Ciron. Barsac, lying flat on a plain sloping towards the Garonne, has in a portion called Haut-Barsac 40 to 60 cm deep, red iron-rich clay sand soils that cover a fossil-rich limestone plateau. In the part that slopes down towards the Garonne, there are predominantly gravelly soils with parts of limestone.
The vines in Haut-Barsac can grow up to 10 m deep into the limestone subsoil and thus absorb mineral elements. This is possibly why the grapes for most of the AOC Barsac Crus grow preferentially on this soil.
There are two Premier Cru Classé according to the 1855 classification, Château Coutet and Château Climens. The Barsac, made from 100% Semillon, can not only be called Premier Cru Barsac, but also Sauternes. However, all sweet wines produced in the AOC Barsac may bear this double designation as Barsac and Sauternes.
Barsac 1er Cru 2001, Château Climens (Tasted wines)
Medium amber in the glass. Botrytis, apricot and roasted notes on the nose. Spicy, slightly bitter notes on the palate, noticeable but still subtle sweetness, concentrated and balanced, botrytis, malt candy, a hint of bitter almond, very long, complex finish with spicy-malty notes. Excellent wine.
Wow. I took a sip and thought this is the best “non red wine” I have ever tasted! I received it as a gift and what a treat it truly is!