Château Climens, Barsac, 1er Cru Classé, Bordeaux, 2012

Seven different barrel samples were tasted from early-picked (15 Oct) to late-picked grapes (31 Oct). Early harvested samples are very pure, with lovely honeysuckle, fresh yellow fruits and fairly high concentration of sugar (130-140gm/l residual sugar). Later-picked parcels have a more unctuous texture, thicker palate and chalky finish. Micro blends that combine late- and early-picked parcels show beautiful, delicate flavours that have focus, freshness and purity. This is by far the best, most successful wine of the vintage.