Château Climens is one of Barsac's historic gems. The name first appears in a contract dated 1547, and the property has changed hands only five times in five centuries—an exceptionally rare continuity among Bordeaux’s grands crus, which has allowed for the intimate transmission of expertise from generation to generation. Classified as a Premier Cru in 1855, the estate spans 31 hectares, entirely planted with Sémillon, on a unique terroir of ferruginous clay-sand resting on a limestone base with asterias.
In 2010, Château Climens became the first Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé to adopt biodynamic farming practices across its entire vineyard—a bold initiative, certified by Biodyvin since 2014, which has enhanced the vibrancy and precision of its wines. Yields here are extremely low (an average of 7 hl/ha for the first wine), ensuring remarkable concentration.
Cyprès de Climens takes its name from an ancient tradition: when ships paid customs duties on the Ciron River, they were given a branch of blue cypress to certify payment. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a “light” wine made from a blend of secondary plots—it is crafted from a second harvest of grapes from the same plots as the Grand Vin, and from barrels that, at the end of aging, were ultimately not selected for the final blend. Aged for 20 to 24 months in French oak barrels (35 to 45% new oak), following exactly the same protocol as the Grand Vin, it offers the same richness of texture in a more immediately appealing style, with remarkable freshness and energy.
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