The OWC (original wooden case) is not included in the auction. Picked in just two tries, 90% picked in one trie, tasting through 13 separate lots, the core components of a great Climens appear to be in place. Paying particular attention to the lots that constitute a large percentage of the blend (usually around 15%) the common themes are ones of great purity, persistency and precision. The aromatics display pure honey, minerals, occasionally a faint scent of spearmint and white peach, most with spellbinding precision. On the palate, Berenice Lurton has some stupendous lots at her disposal, with ample botrytis, ethereal definition, one or two more powerful, quite spicy lots and others that are shorter and will undoubtedly lend the blend an acidic cut. It will be a joy to taste this after bottling. Score: 96/98 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (188), April 2010 Pale gold, the 2009 Climens offers up a fabulously fragrant nose of green tea, chamomile, powdered ginger, lemon marmalade and fallen leaves with suggestions of spice cake and preserved mandarin peel. The palate is super intense with vibrant, energetic fruit and layer upon layer of perfume and spice nuances, finishing very long and incredibly youthful. 2019-2050 Score: 97+ Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (March 2019), March 2019 As usual, there was no final blend of Climens to taste, but a succession of barrel samples representing each picking, rather fewer than usual in 2009 since the vintage was so successful. The first lot, picked on 28 Sep, was incredibly rich and pure and full-bodied. And then the 3 Oct lot was, amazingly, even richer and heavier. Apparently 90% of the crop was picked between 2 and 9 Oct in unusually warm conditions. Two lots picked on 5 Oct showed that the afternoon lot was nervier than the morning lot. Unlike in 2005, for example, the last lots, such as the one picked on 8 Oct, were less rather than more concentrated, and delightfully racy. Great blend of richness, raciness and life. This should be very special indeed and I may be under-scoring it. Date tasted 29th March 2010. Drink 2020-2045. Score: 18.5+ Jancis Robinson MW,