12 bottles per lot
Details
Château Climens--Vintage 1983
Barsac, 1er cru classé
Very damp-affected and damaged labels, some loose
Tasting Note: Superb. On a par with the 1971. Harvested 6 October-4 November, three to four tries in very good weather. Fairly large crop with over 60,000 bottles of the 1er vin. Alcohol 14.4 and residual sugar 96g/l. First tasted exactly a year after the grapes were picked: enormously impressive, with the power and firmness to indicate a long life. But, even at that stage, a bright yellow-gold, its nose exuding a honeyed Sémillon aroma. Showing well at the Peppercorns' Climens tasting in 1987, a wine of charm and finesse which would equally apply to Serena Sutcliffe at that time (before becoming a competitor!). A decade later, dining at Ch Bouscaut: glorious colour, 'lemon curd' and highly polished gold; apricots and cream, lanolin and honey; a lovely sweet flavour but leaner than expected. Stylish, excellent acidity. Most recently: still fairly deep, richly coloured; rich, honeyed bouquet that opened majestically; very sweet, full-bodied, rich yet firm, good length and good life. Last tasted at the château, Oct 2001. ***** M.B.
12 bottles per lot
Barsac, 1er cru classé
Very damp-affected and damaged labels, some loose
Tasting Note: Superb. On a par with the 1971. Harvested 6 October-4 November, three to four tries in very good weather. Fairly large crop with over 60,000 bottles of the 1er vin. Alcohol 14.4 and residual sugar 96g/l. First tasted exactly a year after the grapes were picked: enormously impressive, with the power and firmness to indicate a long life. But, even at that stage, a bright yellow-gold, its nose exuding a honeyed Sémillon aroma. Showing well at the Peppercorns' Climens tasting in 1987, a wine of charm and finesse which would equally apply to Serena Sutcliffe at that time (before becoming a competitor!). A decade later, dining at Ch Bouscaut: glorious colour, 'lemon curd' and highly polished gold; apricots and cream, lanolin and honey; a lovely sweet flavour but leaner than expected. Stylish, excellent acidity. Most recently: still fairly deep, richly coloured; rich, honeyed bouquet that opened majestically; very sweet, full-bodied, rich yet firm, good length and good life. Last tasted at the château, Oct 2001. ***** M.B.
12 bottles per lot
Special notice
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