2016 CLOS FOURTET 1er Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion, Lea & Sandeman

CLOS FOURTET

2024 1er Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion

Grapes Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauv
Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Sub-district Saint Emilion & Satellites
Village Saint Emilion
Classification 1er Grand Cru Classé

Slow to unfurl, because this is a strong limestone identity which needs time to soften in the glass, but there are stunning gunsmoke, elderflower and white blossom aromatics, along with pumice stone and chalk tannins. Extremely clear limestone fingerprint, cruchy fruits, quite a physical reaction to the wine, good precision and clarity, 30hl/h yield. Harvest 25 September to 11 October, 40% new oak. 3.43pH. A more reserved Clos Fourtet compared to the last few vintages, needs time, potential upscore in bottle. Drinking range: 2029 - 2040 Rating: 92 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2025)


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The 2024 Clos Fourtet was picked between September 25 to October 11 at 30 hl/ha. It matured in 40% new oak for a planned 14 to 18 months. This is clearly a level-up from Le Closerie with pure, well-defined and focused blueberry, raspberry, and blood orange scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. This is quite linear, keeping with the style of the vintage, so this doesn't have a peacock's tail like the 2022. Yet this feels tensile and the limestone terroir shapes the mineral-driven finish. This is a well-crafted and delicious Clos Fourtet, a success given the challenges of the vintage. Drinking range: 2028 - 2046 Rating: 92-94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2025)

A pretty and crunchy wine with a chalky sensation that gives it a polished texture and a fresh finish. Medium-bodied. Shows potential. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2025)

84 M 10 CF 6 CS 13% Rich and quite spicy notes already from oak (will be 40% new). Underneath there is deep purple berry fruit and already a silky texture with good depth and length. This is tight and will need some time in bottle after its ageing fully to reveal itself, but will be a classic example of how to succeed in the vintage. Everything harvested after the 27/09 (young vineyards) and into October, lots of tries to cut out the botrytis. No chaptalisation here. Rating: 93 Rod Smith MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2025)

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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