Chateau Clos Fourtet 2023

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is so full of energy. It’s full-bodied with electrified tannins and a long, long finish. So polish and focus here with exquisite balance and length."

VINUM: "Was für ein Parfüm! Gänsehaut garantiert, tiefgründig, mit dunklen und roten Beeren, darüber florale Noten; am Gaumen wie aus dem Stein gemeisselt, kalkig, knackige Frucht, feinste Gerbstoffe, ausgesprochen langes, salines Finale. Ein ungemein eleganter Clos Fourtet, der grosse Reserven hat."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2023 Clos Fourtet is deep garnet-purple in color. It requires quite a lot of swirling to coax out fragrant notes of redcurrant jelly, kirsch, wild blueberries, and violets followed by hints of cinnamon stick, star anise, cumin seed, and fallen leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers intense, vibrant red berry and baking spice flavors, supported by fine-grained tannins and jaw-dropping tension, finishing with great length and poise. This is a real head-turner. The blend is 87% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, with pH 3.50."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Floral in nature, with only a swirl you find black raspberries, red plums, cherries, spice, and crushed stones in the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is balanced between its sweet, bright, red pit fruits, and salty, oceanic influences. The fruits are clean, precise, and energetic. There is length, purity, and refinement, with a lingering sensation of minerality that adds to the sweetness of the berries. This is the second vintage where the parcels of Grandes Murailles were integrated into Clos Fourtet. The wine blends 87% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% ABV, 3.54 pH. The harvest took place, September 14 - October 3. Drink from 2028-2055."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2023 Clos Fourtet is especially suave and refined this year, wafting from the glass with deep aromas of red berries, licorice, violets and pencil shavings, framed by a nicely integrated patina of new oak. Medium to full-bodied, supple and layered, with a velvety attack that segues into a bright, precise mid-palate, it's pure and lively, concluding with a mineral finish."

DECANTER: "Gorgeous fragrance, really ripe and expressive, so floral and perfumed too. Lovely pure aromatic expression. Ripe but juicy raspberry and black cherry fruit - cool and so refreshing. I love the gentle style, it’s smooth with tannins that give body but no weight. More vertical than wide, it’s layered and delicate. Finessed as you expect from Clos Fourtet. Lithe, supple, mouthwatering, a certain density is there and the length is great. Cool but chalky too. There’s power here in the fleshiness but it’s juicy with a touch of oak and enjoyable bitterness on the finish. Ageing 40% new oak, 60% one year used barrels. 3.5pH. 46hl/ha yield."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Checking in as 87% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, raised in 50-60% new oak, the 2023 Château Clos Fourtet has a beautiful limestone-driven style in its red and blue fruits as well as floral and chalky nuances that emerge with time in the glass. Medium-bodied, incredibly well-balanced, and elegant on the palate, it has fine tannins and outstanding length, as well as a gorgeous limestone character. It's a beautiful wine from this family estate that readers will love to have in their cellars."

WEINWISSER: "Verspieltes Bouquet, frische Waldhimbeere, Sandelholz und bezauberndes Veilchenparfüm. Am delikaten Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, energiegeladener Rasse, engmaschigem Tanninkorsett und sehr straffem Körper. Im konzentrierten langen Finale Schattenmorellensaft, edler Kreideton und körnige Adstringenz."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart nach kandierte Orangenzesten, reife Kirschfrucht, ein Hauch von Pflaumen und Nugat, feine Gewürznuancen, einladendes Bukett. Mittlerer Körper, rotbeerig, feine Tannine, frisch strukturiert, salzig-zitronig, ein lebendiger, fast leichtfüßig anmutender Stil, zart nussig, allerdings nur mit mittlerer Länge ausgestattet."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Aromatically complex and enticing. Layered fruit on the palate with a firm but refined tannic frame. Juicy and fresh with a marked chalky character. Some potential. A success for the vintage. Drink 2030 – 2048"