Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 21/04/2000 (No tasting note given) ()

Tasted at Chateau Climens. Although this has a similar hue to the ’99, the nose blossoms in the glass, with clear honey, tangerine and a touch of barley sugar. Very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied, slightly waxy on the entry with touches of apricot, barley sugar and spice. The finish just lacks a little weight and length, quite linear compared to others. A little short. The bouquet is better than the nose in this year. Drink now-2020. Tasted April 2009. Drink 2009 - 2020
-Wine Journal Jul 2009

(88-90 pts)
First tasted May 2000: an expansive expressive nose: pineapple and apricots. Fine acidity with dense powerful exotic fruits. Almost a leafy quality. Intense concentrated finish with ample botrytis. Excellent. Tasted again May 2004 - has not quite achieved its initial promise but still a very fine Climens. A rich, fruit-driven nose with tangerines and honey. Good levels of botrytis, opulent with marmalade notes developing. A bit short on the finish. Very fine.

Bright green-tinged yellow. Fine, highly nuanced nose combines yellow plum, peach, grapefruit, vanilla and toast, along with cooler menthol and mineral notes. Very bright and very young; not yet showing its flesh. Not especially sweet, even for Barsac, with a reported 49 g/l r.s. Currently the flavors are dominated by new oak scents of toffee and vanilla (the wine was aged in 50% new barrels, compared to a typical 33%). Should eventually merit a 90-plus rating, but this wine is developing very slowly.

Pale to medium gold in color, the 1998 Climens has a nose of chalk dust, lemongrass, straw and dried apples with hints of candied lemons and toasted almonds. The palate is a little tired and fading, with pleasant nutty/savory notions and a bit of dryness to the finish. Drink up!