Climens 2008

sted single blind against its peers. This has a very well -defined nose of dried pineapple, quince and vanilla pod that unfolds seductively in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a mellifluous texture, although there remains some oak that needs to be subsumed into the wine. It displays fine definition towards the finish with impressive length. Always a little curmudgeonly in its youth, this Climens deserves a decade in bottle

The 2008 Climens has a "clinical" bouquet with tangerine, grapefruit, pear and apricot that is very pure, but at the moment very tight. The palate is understated on the entry but builds nicely, with viscous honeyed fruit with marmalade, quince and spice. It clams up on the finish like Climens often does in its youth, but there is patently great potential and may merit a higher score in adulthood. Drink now-2040.

Tasting through the individual lots with Berenice Lurton, what comes across are the components of a crisp, refreshing, minerally Climens that may not have as much botrytis as previous vintages, but will have a thrilling sense of tension and poise. It was the energy in several lots that enamoured, with subtle white peach and apple-blossom aromas, hints of grapefruit and honeysuckle, the later tries bearing semblances to great Alsace. Great potential: taut, poised and brimming with vim and vigor.