WTN: 2004 Climens

[Jenise]

So like an hour ago I was sitting here wondering whether or not to add to the six pack of 750's I already purchased (for $55, but not tasted) of the 04 Climens because I saw another six pack sitting at auction at $36/per and closing in just 30 minutes' time. How's a girl to do?

OPEN A BOTTLE!!!

Gosh, this is nice. Jancis called it a top wine of the vintage, scoring it 18.5, and I have to agree with her praise. There's apricot, lemon curd and orange marmalade here, lovely acidity and evident botrytis. A bit of toast shows on the finish. Surprisingly (to me, at any rate) quite a bit more viscuous than the 2003. Will improve with time; possibly by tomorrow.

Edited to add:

Second day report: quite changed and much improved. The wine shed some baby fat and shows more pointed acidity to balance the sweetness, and the white flowers I adore about Climens and didn't find on day one are all there. Too, the orange fruit (apricot and orange marmalade) all seem to have faded to yellow and white: white nectarine instead of apricot, and more lemon curd than orange marmalade. Has elevated from Very Good For The Price to Excellent.

Jenise, when you wrote: "Will improve with time; possibly by tomorrow." I remember why I enjoy your writing and this web site so much.
Thank you!

[Jenise]

Thank you, Jon. This wine is very good. Doesn't have the presence and the thousand-points-of-light mutli-facetedness of the 03, which was probably the most amazing Sauternes I've ever had, but at the low price I'll be happy to have this in the cellar. Oh, and I *will* retaste tonight.

[David M. Bueker]

I love the "lesser" vintages (e.g. 2002 and 2004) as they provide some thrilling drinking without the expectations or the "mandated waiting period" of years like 2001 and 2005.

They may actually be more enjoyable for all that.

Jenise, I am very happy to hear such positive thoughts on this. I have loved every Climens I've tried, both from good and unlauded vintages. Alko often buys only "bad" vintages for us, so I might actually see this here!

-Otto

[Jenise]

I love the "lesser" vintages (e.g. 2002 and 2004) as they provide some thrilling drinking without the expectations or the "mandated waiting period" of years like 2001 and 2005.

They may actually be more enjoyable for all that.

I do, too. In fact, I tend to prefer the less ripe, less botrytised vintages--and this isn't one, but at $41--or $44 net delivered--which is what I ended up paying for the second lot of six, how can one resist? Climens is my favorite Sauternes, and when you consider the effort it takes to make Sauternes--how many more pounds of grapes, how many passes through the vineyard to pick--is there a bigger steal in the world of wine?

[Jenise]

I have loved every Climens I've tried, both from good and unlauded vintages.

Then you're guaranteed to like this one, Otto! I feel the same, obviously--and I like your choosing 'unlauded' for the opposite of 'good'. The way I usually put it is "I like the good vintages, and I like the light yellow vintages even better" since 'good' in the wine marketplace usually means 'riper'. 2003 was a most satisfying light yellow.

[Jenise]

Edited original post to include a second day report.