| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This is another brilliant offering from Philippe Cuvelier, who has totally revolutionized the quality of this famous estate. The 2011 Clos Fourtet exhibits a dense blue/purple color as well as beautiful notes of creme de cassis, blueberries and raspberries, a complete as well as layered mid-palate, sweet tannin, good acidity and a charming personality. This is a highly successful effort for the vintage. Consume it over the next 10-12 years.
A solid wine with berry and chocolate character. Full body, polished tannins. Needs time to come together. Better in 2017.
The rich vein of form continues under Philippe Cuvelier. This is not as strapping as the 2009 or 2010s, but there's a quiet, understated elegance to the wine, even at this young age. Poised, slightly grassy and refreshing with fine-grained tannins and a long satisfying finish. One of the best St Emilions of the vintage. 8+ years.
Crimson hue. Attractive fruit on the nose. Fresh palate with a fine, firm structure. A well-crafted wine minus the depth and intensity of the last three years. Drink 2018-2030
Two consulting oenologists with different philosophies work together at Clos Fourtet. Since Stephane Derenoncourt, a late harvester, and Jean-Claude Barrouet, a much earlier harvester, have joined forces, the results have been exhilarating. This 50-acre vineyard high on the plateau, owned by the Cuvelier family and managed by Tony Balu, had yields of 33 hectoliters per hectare. The 2011, one of the stars of the vintage, is a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Its opaque purple color is accompanied by notes of graphite, truffles, blackberries and blueberries. Rich and medium to full-bodied with good acidity, sweet, well-integrated tannin and a hint of forest floor, this big, fleshy St.-Emilion should drink well for two decades.
The Clos Fourtet 2011 has a lush nose of Tiptree strawberry jam, redcurrant, a touch of vanilla and boysenberry. It is nicely defined and quite feminine. The palate is medium-bodied with good structure on the entry and a fine, firm backbone that suggests this will be a long-term Clos Fourtet. I like the cohesion on this Saint Emilion, perhaps even a sense of restraint that is occasionally missing from the wines in their youth. It packs quite a punch on the finish with a firm grip on the off-dry finish. Excellent. Tasted April 2012.
A wine with super fine tannins and a wonderful depth of fruit for the vintage. Very polished and gorgeous. Full-bodied, yet lovely for the year.
