2024 Clos Fourtet
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Tasting notes
Based on 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2024 Château Clos Fourtet was harvested up until October 11 and is resting in 40% new barrels, with the balance in once-used barrels. It offers a terrific limestone character in its red and black berry fruits, alongside notes of sappy flowers, rose, and graphite. These all carry to a medium-bodied Saint-Émilion with a balanced, pure, and elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
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.
The 2024 Clos Fourtet is a gorgeous, elegant wine. Medium in body, with terrific persistence and notable purity, Clos Fourtet impresses with its balance more than anything else. Dark blue fruits, lavender, spice, menthol, licorice and dried herbs open first, all framed by bright chalky notes that lend freshness. In 2024, Clos Fourtet is built more on persistence than overt textural richness, as has been the case in some recent vintages. Tasted two times.
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.
About the producer
The Cuvelier family took over Clos Fourtet in 2001 and modernised the estate – renovating the winery and undertaking significant replanting. Its 18.5 hectares sit on the limestone plateau.