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Clos Fourtet 2023

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot

Situated in the heart of Saint Emilion, close to Canon, this is one of the great vineyards of the appellation. The 20 hectares of vines are planted with 84% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc. 70% new oak is used.

The 2023 is 87% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon.

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Clos Fourtet

Label

Tasting Notes

The 2023 Clos Fourtet is especially suave and refined this year, wafting from the glass with deep aromas of red berries, licorice, violets and pencil shavings, framed by a nicely integrated patina of new oak. Medium to full-bodied, supple and layered, with a velvety attack that segues into a bright, precise mid-palate, it's pure and lively, concluding with a mineral finish.

94/96
William Kelley, Wine Advocate, April 2024

The 2023 Clos Fourtet was picked from September 14 to October 3 and aged in 40% new oak. The nose is very attractive and quite sensual in style with red cherries, crushed strawberries and incense. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, fresh, focused, pure and quite linear on the finish. This is much more classically styled than the 2022, and it conveys tenderness and persistence. Superb.

92/94
Neal Martin, vinous.com, April 2024

Blueberry pie, baking spices and liquorice come through on this nose that certainly showcases the riper edges Merlot could offer in this vintage. Sweet red fruit and slick tannins wash over the palate, with the tannins having some bite and astringency on the back end. This wine is very much of a style, pushing plushness, spice and sweetness. It will appeal to those who follow the château.

90/93
Thomas Parker MW, Farr Vintners, April 2024

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.

97/98
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2024

The 2023 Clos Fourtet is deep garnet-purple in color. 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 flavors, supported by fine-grained tannins and jaw-dropping tension, finishing with great length and poise. This is a real head-turner. The blend is 87% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, with pH 3.50.

95/97
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, May 2024

Starts right out of the gate with fragrant white flowers, lime zest freshness, scraping pumice stone limestone feel, strong Clos Fourtet character coming through, with cassis and black cherry fruits, a whirl of peony and iris flowers, inching forward step by step through the palate. Aged in 2% amphora, 45% new oak, with berries destemmed but uncrushed befpre fermenting. Stephane Derenoncourt consultant.

95
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, April 2024

The 2023 Clos Fourtet is pure class. Elegant and soaring, the 2023 offers up an exciting mélange of dark-toned fruit, leather, incense, dried herbs, pencil shavings and crushed rocks. Beams of supporting limestone-infused tannin and acid give Clos Fourtet is super-distinctive feel. The long, enduring finish is a thing of beauty. Clos Fourtet remains a benchmark example of wines from Saint-Émilion's famed limestone plateau. Tasted two times. 2030-2063

94/96
Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, April 2024

87% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample.
Aromatically complex and enticing. Layered fruit on the palate with a firm but refined tannic frame. Juicy and fresh with a marked chalky character. Some potential. A success for the vintage. (JL) 14%
Drink 2030 – 2048

17+
James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com, May 2024
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.