Clos Fourtet

Clos Fourtet

Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2008

Shay A
9.2

85 merlot/ 10 CabSauv/ 5 CabFranc

Pop and poured. Very pretty and elegant. Not a blockbuster vintage, but not a slacker in StEm. This Clos Fourtet isn’t flamboyant nor lean, but quite balanced. Deep ruby + purple in the glass, it looks as though it will be heavy and powerful, but it sports lots of potpurri, espresso, and inky black fruits aromatically all wrapped a delicate profile. Good weight on the palate. Very clean (zero Brett). This may lean slightly modern, but the tannin and herbal bite at the finish snap you back to France. Not surprisingly, the last glass was best. No rush here, but a quick dash of air opens the gates.
— 4 months ago

David, Jan and 31 others liked this

Philippe Cuvelier

Clos Fourtet Saint-Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classe Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

What an outstanding wine. 85% Merlot 15% Cab Franc. Has a ton of life left in it. Needed at least an hour decant! — 4 years ago

Shay, Eric and 9 others liked this
Mike R

Mike R Influencer Badge

Beautiful pull @Connor McMahon

La Closerie de Fourtet

Saint-Émilion Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Fruit forward with a charcoal finish. Wonderful now and good to cellar for years — 10 years ago

Château Grand-Pontet

Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

Lunch 🥪

K&L notes as follows, Grand Pontet is an interesting property, positioned in the neighborhood of other stars of the appellation such as Châteaux Canon, Beau-Séjour-Bécot and Clos Fourtet. It is, however, a small estate, a mere 14 hectares, and its prices are much better than some of its more prestigious neighbors. In 1980 it was purchased by Gerard and Dominique Bécot, owners of the neighboring Beau-Séjour-Bécot. They have applied the same high standards to both Châteaux in their possession, and their winemaking team crafts Grand Pontet alongside the Beau-Séjour-Bécot wines. Recently purchased in 2021 by Domaines Clarence Dillon (Haut-Brion, La Mission Haut-Brion, et al.), the property was combined with and incorporated into Château Quintus. Full-bodied and luscious, this Grand Pontet is laden with ripe blackberry fruits, savory tobacco, licorice notes, and ripe, softened tannins. It’s seamless and bold, not shy. It’s going to require something decadent to pair with, such as filet mignon or some other black-tie dish with plenty of flavor and rich umami presence.
— 2 years ago

Shay, Tom and 21 others liked this
Eric

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You lunch like a bad ass.

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

David T
9.4

Follow up to the Clos Fourtet and to close out the Allen Brothers Ribcap.

The nose reveals, dark, ripe & slightly stewed fruits of; blackberries strawberries, black raspberries, black cherries, dry cranberries & blueberries. Steeped fruit tea, anise to black licorice, dark, fruit liqueur, dry crushed rocks, dry herbs, dry twigs, cinnamon, light nutmeg, clove and vanilla, leather, cedar, graphite, dry tobacco to cigar ash, dark spice, sweet tarriness, eucalyptus with candied mixed in with withering, dark florals & red, blue, purple flowers that are set in lavender.

The palate is, rich, ruby and round. The mouthfeel is glorious. This is a perfect window for a first bottle of the 08 Dunn Howell Mountain. The dusty tannins are round and about 50% resolved. This 04 has another 15-20 years of good drinking ahead of it...properly stored of course. Dark, ripe & slightly stewed fruits of; blackberries strawberries, black raspberries, black cherries, dry cranberries & blueberries. Steeped fruit tea, anise to black licorice, dark, fruit liqueur, dry crushed rocks, slightly, moist clay, dry herbs-sage, dry twigs, cinnamon, light nutmeg, clove and vanilla, lots of dark melted chocolate, mocha powder, leather, cedar, graphite, dry tobacco to cigar ash, dark spice, sweet tarriness, dry, dark earth, limestone minerals, slightly, moist clay, volcanics, eucalyptus with florals that are candied mixed in with withering. They are dark, red, purple, blue & violets that are set in lavender. The acidity is round and near perfection...Colorado rushing river like. The long, well knitted, balanced, elegant finish lasts minutes.

Just misses 95. It will be there in another 5-7 years and could stretch to 96 at its peak.

The advantage Howell Mountain has is it sits above the fog line (more sunlight hours) and benefits from cool nights giving it slightly longer vine fruit ripening & better acidity.

Photos of; the legend, Owner-Winemaker Randy Dunn, an aerial view of his Howell Mountain Vineyard, barrel room and landing pad to process fruit for fermentation.
— 4 years ago

Christina ChampagneJames
with Christina and James
Josh, Shay and 29 others liked this

Château Poujeaux

Moulis en Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2019

2019 vintage. A strong effort for this estate, bought in 2008 by the Cuvelier family (Clos Fourtet, Grandes Murailles, Côte Baleau). Much more intensity and complexity compared to the 2015 tasted alongside (but maybe I should try another bottle of the 2015). Cassis, flowers and lead pencil. Medium-bodied, juicy and fresh with very good mineral length. — 3 years ago

Dawn, Peter and 6 others liked this

Château Côte de Baleau

St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2013

This estate was bought in 2013 by the Cuvelier family (Clos Fourtet and Poujeaux), but the previous owner Sophie Fourcade already made great efforts to improve the wines. This 2018 features a deep red colour, a flamboyant perfume with truffle, red fruit and flowers. Concentrated, with layers of red fruit and spices and a serious tannic structure. Good length too. As this estate (promoted to Grand Cru Classé in the 2012 classification) is still very much under the radar it is great value and worth seeking out for less than 25 euros. — 3 years ago

Peter and Dawn liked this

Domaine de Martialis

Saint-Émilion Red Blend 1986

Domaine de martialis (clos Fourtet)
Saint Emilion 1986
— 9 years ago