Chateau Climens 'Asphodèle' Bordeaux Blanc

Château Climens 'Asphodèle' Bordeaux Blanc is the first dry white wine in the 230-year history of Château Climens, a Premier Cru estate in Barsac known exclusively for its sweet wines until this bottling. It is 100% Sémillon grown on the estate's signature terroir of red clayey sand over limestone, fermented naturally and farmed according to biodynamic principles. The wine is a singular expression of what happens when a historic Sauternes producer turns its attention to a dry, unfortified style from the same vines that yield some of Bordeaux's most celebrated dessert wines. Château Climens has been estate-owned by the Lurton family since 1992, and the property's vineyards sit on one of Barsac's highest plateaus, where the limestone subsoil and red sandy topsoil create the drainage and mineral retention that make the area famous for botrytis-affected Sémillon. Asphodèle is farmed organically and biodynamically, with spontaneous fermentation and no additions beyond minimal sulfur at bottling. The name references the mythological flower of the underworld, a nod to the wine's departure from Climens' traditional sweet portfolio. The estate's commitment to low-intervention viticulture and hands-off cellar work means the wine is a direct translation of the terroir, unamplified by new oak or commercial yeast. The wine shows creamed apple and white peach on the nose, with a pure, smooth texture on the palate and a thread of chalky minerality that anchors the fruit. There is a spice note—white pepper, perhaps a touch of ginger—that lifts the mid-palate, and the acidity is bright enough to cut through rich seafood or creamy poultry dishes. Drink it with butter-poached lobster, roast chicken with tarragon, or aged Comté. It is also one of the rare dry whites structured enough to pair with pork rillettes or charcuterie without being overwhelmed. The wine is best served cool but not cold, around 50–55°F, to preserve the texture and let the limestone character come through. Available for pickup at our Lincoln Park bottle shop at 1128 W Armitage Ave, local Chicago delivery, or nationwide shipping.