| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
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 2022 is 91% Merlot, 4% cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2022 Clos Fourtet was aged in 40% new oak, a decrease from the previous year, with a slightly shorter élevage. It has an exquisite bouquet with a mixture of red and black fruit scents, palpable mineralité and hints of crushed limestone percolating with time. This is so precise. The palate is very pure and tensile, framed by pliant tannins, a judicious touch of spice and a pixelated finish that is more elegant than any previous Clos Fourtet. What a fabulous Saint-Émilion from Mathieu Cuvelier and his team. 2030 - 2070
Now incorporating the vineyards of the former Grand Murailles, the 2022 Clos Fourtet is lovely, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, plums, rose petals, orange zest and exotic spices. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and seamless, it's deep and complete, with a layered core of vibrant fruit and a long, saline finish. This is another terrific wine from this 19-hectare vineyard situated on the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, just outside the village. It's a blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2022 Clos Fourtet has turned out exceptionally well, offering an enticing bouquet of rose, plums, dark berries, licorice and spices. Medium to full-bodied, enrobing and seamless, it's deep and complete with a fleshy core of fruit, velvety tannins and a long, mineral and saline finish enhanced by notes of vibrant dark berries. As readers may remember, this blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc was matured for 18 months in 50% new barrels, used barrels and amphorae. 2028 - 2042
Saturated purple in the glass with a lightly tarry, smoky nose of blackberry and damson. The incense-laden fruit has a roasted quality, silky and fleshy, giving a rounded, sweet mouthfeel. Glossy to the finish, this has no hard edges, and remains in balance despite its hedonistic style.
Extremely aromatic with iron, chalk, lead pencil and currants following through to a medium to full body with integrated tannins that are polished and very long. Wonderful balance to this with just hints of fresh herbs like basil and thyme. A blend of 90% merlot, 7% cabernet sauvignon and 3% cabernet franc. Give this four or five years to come together.
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Clos Fourtet comes barreling out of the glass with profound notes of ripe, juicy black plums, boysenberry preserves, and Morello cherries, followed by suggestions of lilacs, clove oil, crushed rocks, and wood smoke. The full-bodied palate is rich and concentrated, with densely laden black and blue fruit layers offset by a zippy backbone and firm, rounded tannins, finishing with great persistence.
Vivid damson plum colour, medium to full intensity, toasted pine nuts and liquorice on the opening beats, still firm tannins and a ton of wet stone-tinged tannins, slate, pumice stone, texture and slow progression through the palate. Smoked caramel and cocoa bean add luscious sense of joy. This is a beautiful wine. Owner Matieu Cuvelier.
Very dark purplish crimson. There's already some evolution here on the nose. Fragrant. Sweet start but still with some freshness. Meaty and savoury. But juicy, too, and not forced nor too heavy nor sweet. Finish is bone dry in fact! Very unlike the late-20th-century stereotype! 14.5%. Drink 2030 – 2047.
90% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc. Includes the 2 ha from Ch Les Grands Murailles integrated in the 2022 classification. Cask sample.
Deep crimson hue. Expressive red-fruit and mineral nose. Generous fruit backed by plentiful but refined tannins. Remarkably smooth texture but firms up and lingers on the finish. Terroir evident. One for the cellar. (JL)
Drink 2030– 2048
The 2022 Clos Fourtet was picked from 9 to 27 September at 36hL/ha and vinified to a maximum of 24-26° Celsius. It has a gorgeous bouquet you could lose yourself in, with crushed strawberry, orange blossom and bunches of violet. The 40% new oak is extremely well integrated. The palate is refined with filigree tannins, one of the most mineral-driven Clos Fourtets I recall at this stage, with a sophisticated and harmonious finish. The prudent approach to the new oak pays rich dividends here. Mathieu Cuvelier and his team have overseen a sublime Saint-Émilion. 2030-2070
This is broad and opulent with a full body and fine-grained, velvety tannins. Deep dark fruit, crushed violets and spices. Structured, layered and really long. Wow. So long and refined with great clarity.
Mathieu Cuvelier marks 20 years of the Cuvelier family at Clos Fourtet with this vintage, and it's a wonderful attestation to the potential of limestone plateau location for coping with a changing climate in Bordeaux. Visually arresting in its deep plum and violet colour, with a luscious texture, and plenty of subtle red roses and peony floral aromatics. Creamy black and blue fruits, and sublimely well measured tannic extraction, with crunchy salinity on the finish, oyster shell and salt-flecked chocolate notes. Super smooth finish. First year with the addition of Les Grandes Murailles vineyard. Stéphane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consultants (working together since 2009). Not too interventionist, no cold soaks here, natural yeasts, with whole bunch ferments for the young vines. Harvest September 9 to 27. 3.54ph. 40% new oak, 58% second-fill barrels, 2% amphoras.
