Climens to open doors to visitors

Barsac estate Château Climens will open its doors to visitors by appointment from this September.

The premier cru estate will accept appointments from 12 September and guest will have the choice of three visits, ranging from the most basic costing €15 per person to the most exclusive at €180.

The basic visit will run from Monday to Friday with tours beginning at 10am, 2pm and 4pm. Lasting an hour and half it includes a visit to the vineyard, cellar and the estate’s herb drying room where it prepares what it needs for its biodynamic treatments. The tour also includes a small tasting.

The next level, costing €60 per person, runs on the same timescale and the visit is the same but guests will have the chance to taste a vertical of four wines with a mixed platter of food.

The most complete experience, at €180 each, comprises a visit and five course lunch prepared by one of the chefs from Michelin-starred restaurant Darroze.

Diners will enjoy (according to the season) Cyprès de Climens 2012 with black truffled scrambled eggs and seabass tartare, 2008 Climens with prawn tails; 1996 Climens with sergeant fish and rocket pesto; the 2000 with a cheese platter and the 1978 with a mango and passion fruit dome and coconut sorbet.