Cypres de Climens is the second wine of Chateau Climens, 1er Cru Classe, of Barsac, one of the two or three most reputed sweet Bordeaux wines. Climens has belonged to the Lucien Lurton family since 1970 and is today managed by his daughter, Berenice. The vineyard is impeccably placed in the highest part of Barsac, where it is bathed in sunlight. The red-sand and gravel soil affords perfect drainage and conditions for ripening the Semillion grapes. As Bortytis develops in the late Fall, teams of pickers hand-select the “noble-rotted” fruit – where the sugars and flavors have been concentrated – which is fermented and matured in barrels (one-third new). This process takes up to two years. A selection is made of the representative but early-drinking casks, and these are bottled as Cypres de Climens. This wine shares the great elegance and concentration that is the Climens hallmark, but is accessible when released. It also represents fine value.

The name Cypres de Climens was chosen for the second wine because it recalls the 15th century owner, Jehan Climenz. The family collected a tax on ships navigating the Garonne River. As a receipt for payment, Climenz gave the ship captains a cypress branch. When the Lurtons launched the second wine of Ch. Climens in 1984, they chose to recall this historic precedent, which underlies the impressive situation of the property, and hence the majesty of the wine.