Chateau Climens

History

Château Climens, a Premier Cru Classé Sauternes wine producer, has a rich history dating back to 1547 when the name first appeared in a contract. Initially, it was spelled Château Clemenz, and the Roborel de Climens family owned the property, developing the vineyards over two and a half centuries. In the 17th century, an elegant charterhouse was built, and the production of sweet wines based on noble rot began in the Sauternes region.

In 1855, Château Climens was classified as a Premier Cru, and it was purchased by Henri Gounouilhou that same year. The estate remained in the Gounouilhou family until 1971 when Lucien Lurton acquired it. His daughter, Bérénice Lurton, took over the management in 1992 and led the estate's transition to biodynamic farming. The vineyard, planted entirely with Sémillon grapes, is known for its chalky and limestone-rich terroir, which suits the Semillon grape perfectly.

Under Bérénice's leadership, the estate also introduced a dry white wine, Asphodèle, in 2018. In July 2022, a majority stake in Château Climens was sold to Jean-Hubert Moitry and his family, marking a new chapter in the estate's history while ensuring continuity with Bérénice Lurton remaining in an advisory role[1][2][3].

Terroir

The terroir of Chateau Climens is characterized by its unique geological composition. The vineyard is situated on a plateau approximately 20 meters above sea level, with a thin layer of clayey ferruginous sands, less than 50 cm thick, sitting on a fissured slab of starfish limestone. This limestone sub-soil bears witness to the presence of the sea some 30 million years ago during the early oligocene period. The terroir also features a crisscross network of geological fault lines, which have developed into karstic cavities in the limestone, providing perfect drainage and regulating water resources for the vines.

The terroir's exceptional drainage and limestone structure contribute to the production of wines with remarkable freshness and acidity. The combination of iron-rich red sandy soil and limestone sub-soil is particularly unique in the region, allowing Chateau Climens to produce wines that are both botrytically rich and fresh, despite being made from 100% Semillon grapes. This unique terroir is a key factor in the estate's ability to produce wines of exceptional elegance and purity[2][3][5].