Appellations

Clos Fourtet 2021

St Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé B

GBP Price: Size Quantities Units status Actions
Tasting Notes

The skill and class of this estate has come through more strongly after ageing, and this is a single point upscore. Very much on the savoury sudued side at this point, but there is beautiful finesse and a kick of oyster shell salinity. Austere still, but the floral aromatics give extra depths. A reasonable yield of 40hl/h (normal for the property) as its location again protected from frost. Clay-limestone soils. 50% new oak, 2% amphoras, saignée (for added concentration) on 20% of the vats.

Score: 94 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2026-2040 Date: 26 March 2024

The 2021 Clos Fourtet is a dark, imposing wine. Blackberry, gravel, scorched earth, leather, incense and clove infuse the 2021 with tons of character. This is definitely a wine from a cold year—a year lacking in sunshine. In that sense, Clos Fourtet is wonderfully expressive, as it paints a very accurate portrait of a place and a growing season. All it needs is time to soften.

Score: 94 Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2027-2051 Date: 27 February 2024

The 2021 Clos Fourtet has an attractive bouquet with blackberry, wild strawberry, incense and touches of marmalade in the background. It seems to gain a little intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a sapid entry, fine depth and acidity. It’s quite dense and just a little blocky toward the finish, where I would like to see more complexity develop with time. It's a more backward Saint-Émilion, but it will reward those with the sense to cellar it several years.

Score: 92 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2028-2048 Date: 22 February 2024

90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Quite a bit of charm aromatically. Floral notes – iris and dried rose. Fleshy but polished, the tannins very fine. Freshness and grip on the finish so some persistence. Elegance over power. (JL)

Score: 16+ Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2028-2040 Date: 13 May 2022

A polished and creamy red with bright currant, raspberry and clove character. Silky, supple tannins and fresh acidity. Excellent length.

Score: 93 - 94 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 01 May 2022

A bend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Clos Fourtet offers up inviting aromas of wild berries and plums mingled with hints of black truffle, violets, potpourri and dark chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping, it's lively and layered, with beautifully refined tannins, bright acids and a long, sapid finish. Harvest lasted until October 15, which shows in unusual depth and plenitude for the vintage. Tasted three times.

Score: 93 - 95 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 29 April 2022

Another terrific Saint-Emilion from the upper plateau, the 2021 Château Clos Fourtet is 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Franc that's pulled from 70% of the total production. The soils here include slightly more clay than its neighbor, Canon, and the wine is always a touch more powerful. The 2021 has 15% of the blend go through malolactic fermentation in barrel, and the élevage will span 16-18 months in 60% new oak. Dense purple-hued, with ample black fruits, roasted herbs, chocolate, and chalkiness, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a great mid-palate, ripe tannins, and one heck of a finish. It's an undeniable success that will shine in its youth yet also evolve gracefully. Tasted multiple times.

Score: 93 - 95 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 06 February 2022