Clos Fourtet 1er Grand Cru Classe, Saint Emilion 2023
Varietal: 87% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2023 Category: Red Wine Style: Dry
Producer: Clos Fourtet
Description:
The uniqueness of Clos Fourtet, Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, is that it qualifies as a closed vineyard. In a constant quest for excellence, Clos Fourtet and the Cuvelier family practise sustainable agriculture that respects the balance of nature. A benchmark among the great wines of Saint-Émilion, Clos Fourtet 2022 comes from a 22-hectare vineyard. With an average age of 35 years, the vines are planted on clay-limestone soils typical of Saint-Émilion.
97-98/100 Points - James Suckling
This is so full of energy. It’s full-bodied with electrified tannins and a long, long finish. So polish and focus here with exquisite balance and length.
97/100 Points - Jane Anson, JaneAnson.comStarts right out of the gate with fragrant peony flowers, lime zest freshness, scraping pumice stone, strong Clos Fourtet character coming through, with cassis and black cherry fruits, a whirl of roses and iris flowers, inching forward step by step through the palate. Aged in 2% amphora, 45% new oak, with berries destemmed but uncrushed before fermenting. Stephane Derenoncourt consultant. Loved this En Primeur and love it again in bottle, this is right up there with the beauty and grace of the 2023 vintage. Fragrant, juicy, balanced, precise, plum, blueberry, 40% new oak for ageing.
95-97/100 Points - Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine IndependentThe 2023 Clos Fourtet is deep garnet-purple in colour. It requires quite a lot of swirling to coax out fragrant notes of redcurrant jelly, kirsch, wild blueberries, and violets followed by hints of cinnamon stick, star anise, cumin seed, and fallen leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers intense, vibrant red berry and baking spice flavours, supported by fine-grained tannins and jaw-dropping tension, finishing with great length and poise. This is a real head-turner.
Tasting Notes:
The Clos Fourtet is deep garnet purple in colour and opens over time with notes of blackberries, plums, and wild blueberries, plus notes of forest floor, lavender, baking herbs, and potpourri. The taste is full-bodied and has an amazing texture of soft, gentle tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and fragrant with berry/herb notes and some minerality.
Food Matches: Red Meat / Venison / Soft Cheese / Venison
