CLOS FOURTET
2003 1er Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion
| Grapes | Cab Franc, Merlot, Cab Sauv |
| Colour | Red |
| Origin | France, Bordeaux |
| District | Right Bank |
| Sub-district | Saint Emilion & Satellites |
| Village | Saint Emilion |
| Classification | 1er Grand Cru Classé |
| ABV | 13.5% |
The 2003 Clos Fourtet is one of the handful of successful wines from Saint-Émilion in this infamously hot growing season. It was harvested between September 10 and 26 at 31 hl/ha. The nose offers macerated red cherries, raspberry coulis and fig jam, evidencing that summer's heat yet maintaining freshness. The palate is medium-bodied with surprisingly fine tannins, a dash of white pepper and a fresh, if slightly truncated finish. Reaching full-maturity at two decades, do not hesitate to open this upstanding Clos Fourtet. Tasted at the Clos Fourtet vertical in April 2023. Drinking range: 2025 - 2033 Rating: 91 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2025)
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Or, check the RELATED PRODUCTS below for different vintages or wines of a similar style.
The arrival of the heat wave in 2003 was more abrupt and prolonged than in 2022 (although less dry), and you feel the exoticism to the baked spices, incense, truffle, tar, softening at this point with grilled cedar smoke, cured leather and smoked meat. Everything is underpinned by the salinity of the limestone, showcasing the benefit of the location, and the barely-there tannins are melted into the structure. Slap-bang in its drinking window, no need to wait any longer to enjoy. 100% new oak. Stephane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consultants. Drinking range: 2023 - 2034 Rating: 91 Jane Anson, Decanter (Jun 2023)
This magnificent wine, which is just beginning to come into full maturity, boasts an inky/purple color as well as copious notes of blackberries, licorice, violets, and a striking chalky minerality. Full-bodied, voluptuously textured and stunningly pure, this great Bordeaux is one of the vintage’s superstars. The finish lasts 40-45 seconds in this majestic, multidimensional St. Emilion. It should continue to drink well for 10-15 years, but why wait? 2014-2029 Rating: 98 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Aug 2014)
Dark red. Explosive aromas of currant and plum jam, game and leather. Downright velvety in the mouth, with compelling sweetness of fruit and pliancy of texture. The ripe plummy flavor is joined by chocolate and leather on the fairly tannic finish. Approachable already, this should gain in complexity with another few years of bottle aging. Rating: 90 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (May 2006)
Clos Fourtet
Guarding the westerly approaches to St Emilion village was a fort that became a château – Campfourtet renaming itself Fourtet sometime in the 19th Century. The 19.2 hectares are split between two main blocks, 14 hectares immediately around the buildings, and a further 5 about 400 metres away. Often spoken of as among the better estates in St Emilion, it has only really lived up its potential greatness in recent years under the tenure of the Cuvelier family, who purchased Clos Fourtet in 2001. These Cuveliers are not related to the Léoville Poyferré Cuveliers, and came from outside the world of wine - Philippe was running the Guilbert / Niceday office supplies company. His son Mathieu helps to run the properties. The Cuveliers own Château Poujeaux, in Moulis-en-Médoc, and subsequently bought Clos Fourtet’s neighbour Château Grandes Murailles, although they have resisted the temptation to merge the two together. The vineyards are 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and only 5% Cabernet Franc, with an average age of 30 years. There is a tendency toward organic/biodynamic viticulture, although full conversion is still some way off.
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RELATED PRODUCTS
2000 CHÂTEAU BEAUSÉJOUR BÉCOT 1er Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion Château Beau-Séjour Bécot
Bordeaux France 13% Red
Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon. Imperial
Showing beautifully, the 2000 Château Beau-Sejour Bécot is fully in its prime drink window and offers brilliant aromatics of red and black fruits, cedar pencil, tobacco leaf, truffle, and licorice. Full-bodi...(read more)
Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com
2018 CLOS DE L'ORATOIRE Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion
Bordeaux France 14.5% Red
Cabernet Franc, Merlot.
85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc. 45% new oak. Woody meaty nose. Cool dark fruit with a mineral edge. Fine grippy tannins. Good concentration but relatively light on its feet. Good job.
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