Clos Fourtet - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2005

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe2/9/2015

Meaty, sweet nose and lots of energy. Pretty new school but not exaggerated. Should make a satisfying mature whole, but it’s a bit harsh on the end now. 

La Revue du Vin de France

17,5 / 20

the10/20/2014

Nez retenu, texture ferme, haute alliance acidité/épices. Un vin très puissant (14,5°) qui commence à peine à se détendre et qu'il faut impérativement attendre. Grande garde 2017/2030.

Decanter Magazine

18 / 20

the10/5/2009

Big classical wine, full and round with noble tannins and expressive fruit, even if less complex and refined as Ausone or even Belair. Great future. Drink from 2015.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

92 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008

Good deep red-ruby. Reduced nose offers redcurrant, plum, coffee and smoke. Sweet, lush and creamy on entry, then chewy and tactile if a bit closed in the middle, with suggestions of darker fruits and mocha. Impressively broad on the back, showing a serious wave of finishing fruit, but the tannins are a bit sullen today. Give this very lush, long wine at least seven or eight years of cellaring.

Wine Advocate

98 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/7/2008

Clos Fourtet is on a roll, having produced a stunning wine in 2003, and an even more brilliant effort in 2005. Stephane Derenoncourt, the consulting oenologist, has plenty with which to work given the fact that this is a relatively large vineyard (50 acres) planted with 85% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc as well as a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon. The inky/blue/purple-colored 2005 boasts an exceptional perfume of acacia flowers, blackberry and blueberry liqueur, graphite, scorched earth, and background oak. The wine possesses a full-bodied texture and abundant quantities of stunningly pure black fruits. The result is a sumptuous St.-Emilion of great concentration, intensity, and overall balance. This prodigious effort looks set for 25-30 years of evolution. Utterly awesome!

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/22/2008

Jancis Robinson

18 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe11/21/2007

Extremely dark crimson. Smells very rich and alluring and almost gypsy in its call - a wild thing! Certainly not formal though, not like classi modern right bank .very interesting and distinctive - even slightly spicy.

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/3/2007

This estate has resurrected itself in a dramatic fashion thanks to the new proprietor, Monsieur Cuvelier and the hard work of his estate manager, Tony Balu, and a consulting team headed by Stephane Derenoncourt. The nearly 50-acre vineyard is planted with 85% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The 6,000-case 2005 may rival the spectacular 2003, which is currently outstanding. The black/purple-hued 2005 is a wine of extraordinary intensity displaying a beautiful floral nose of licorice, blueberry, creme de cassis, scorched earth, lead pencil, and pain grille notes. Given a Burgundian-like upbringing of malolactic in barrel and five months of lees aging with frequent batonnage, this beauty reached nearly 15% natural alcohol, and boasts enormous concentration, intensity, and richness. It should turn out to be a modern day classic. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030+

Wine Spectator

92-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/1/2007

Very rich and ripe with blackberry syrup and floral aromas. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long finish. Seductive. —J.S.

Wine Enthusiast

92-94 / 100

the4/30/2006

New wood aromas are mingled with black fruits. The wine is solid, but with sweet wood and fruit tannins which are already integrating well. The fruit is deliciously ripe, with acidity only just showing.

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/27/2006

Under the guidance of its new owner, Monsieur Cuvelier, Clos Fourtet has enjoyed a dramatic renaissance. I did not think the estate could eclipse its other-worldly 2003, but the remarkable 2005 may do just that. A blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is given a Burgundian-styled malolactic in barrel, and is aged 5 months on its lees with batonnage. There are 6,000 cases of the 2005, which achieved 14% natural alcohol. The striking thing about Clos Fourtet is that one can see its fabulous terroir along with great purity, and stunning nobility and complexity. Its inky/purple color is accompanied by beautiful notes of blueberries, blackberries, plums, and flowers. This full-bodied wine cascades over the palate with huge concentration, high tannin, and freshness as well as sweetness. This brilliant effort should be at its peak between 2012-2030.