Clos Fourtet - St.-Emilion Grand Cru 2022

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Clos Fourtet Description

The uniqueness of Clos Fourtet, Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, is that it qualifies as a closed vineyard. In a constant quest for excellence, Clos Fourtet and the Cuvelier family practise sustainable agriculture that respects the balance of nature.

A benchmark among the great wines of Saint-Émilion, Clos Fourtet 2022 comes from a 22-hectare vineyard. With an average age of 35 years, the vines are planted on clay-limestone soils typical of Saint-Émilion.

Following approval from the INAO, this 2022 vintage marks the merger of two historically linked properties belonging to the Cuvelier family, Clos Fourtet and Château Les Grandes Murailles, under the single name of Clos Fourtet.

Heir to the "Camp Fortet," which provided military protection for the main entrance to the town during the Hundred Years' War, Clos Fourtet backs onto the emblematic façade of the "Grandes Murailles," the only remaining visible echo of the former Dominican convent. Since acquiring Château Les Grandes Murailles in 2013, the Cuvelier family has been investing heavily in the plots of its two estates, to ensure the implementation of sustainable, precision viticulture, giving rise to wines of seductive balance and finesse.

The wine was aged for 14 to 18 months in the estate's underground cellar, in French oak barrels (40% new, 58% one wine) and jars (2%).

Merlot (90%)
Cabernet Sauvignon (7%)
Cabernet Franc (3%).

Vinous: 99 Points

The 2022 Clos Fourtet is fabulous. Rich, sensual and layered, the 2022 bristles with the energy found in the best wines of the year. Clean veins of minerality frame a core of red/purplish fruit, lavender, sage, mint, rose petal and mocha. Simply put, the 2022 is a magical Clos Fourtet. This is the first vintage that incorporates fruit from what used to be Grands Murailles. Drinking window : 2032-2052 - Antonio Galloni

Decanter: 98 Points

Gorgeous perfume on the nose, roses and violets, floral, expressive and so inviting. Sleek and straight from the start, the grip comes almost straight away - a crushed stone and graphite edge to the tannins giving cool freshness as well as bite. Feels suave and controlled, nothing too much or out of place. Refined and supremely elegant but still with a serious and dark core, it’s powerful and intense but that comes a few minutes after the playful juiciness and lively acidity settles. Complete and cool and puts you in St-Emilion on limestone with an inescapable and intense salty grip. Confident and supremely well made with a light touch. A yield of 36hl/ha. 3.54pH. Ageing 14-18 months; 40% new barrels, 58% second wine, 2% amphora, in underground cellars. Harvest 9 September - 27 September. (GH)

Jane Anson: 98 Points

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.

98 points - Jane Anson

James Suckling: 97-98 Points

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.

Jeb Dunnuck: 96-98 Points

Harvested around the 9th of September and based on 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc (it also includes grapes from the discontinued Grandes Murailles bottling), the 2022 Château Clos Fourtet reveals a vivid purple hue as well as aromatics of black cherries, blackberries, white flowers, and crushed stone. A quintessential Saint-Emilion from the upper plateau, it has an incredible sense of minerality as well as full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, a vibrant sense of freshness, and a great finish. The 2020 was brought up in 40% new barrels, with the balance in once-used oak and a tiny portion in clay amphora. Tasted twice.