Clos Fourtet - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017 6b11bd6ba9341f0271941e7df664d056

Le Point

16,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018

Fruits noirs, bouche ronde, souple, moins éclatant de fruit que certaines années, mais un vin assez profond et dense, tanins en finesse, cerise et mûre en finale, assez serrée.

Jeb DUNNUCK

94-97 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/12/2018

This incredible terroir located just outside the village of Saint-Emilion has turned out a spectacular 2017 that has more richness and texture than most in the vintage. A rough blend of 86% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, brought up in 60% new barrels, the 2017 Clos Fourtet offers a deep, saturated purple color to go with a huge nose of pure red and black fruits, bouquet garni, crushed rocks, and spice box. With medium to full-bodied richness, terrific sweetness and depth of fruit, ripe tannin, and a big finish, it’s a gem in the vintage and a no-brainer purchase. Tasted twice.

Vinifera

94 / 100

byJacques Perrinthe5/28/2018

Très mûr et crémeux au premier nez, sur la cerise noire, le zan, le goudron, avec une forme de plénitude. La bouche saisit par son intensité et la qualité de ses tanins, le vin est séveux, vineux, plein et ample, long, assez impressionnant pour l’année.

En Magnum

17-17,5 / 20

the5/27/2018

C’est l’une des réussites du millésime avec un style en tension poivrée, un fruit parfaitement dégagé. La bouche rayonne avec intensité et mesure. Ce vin truffera de la plus belle des façons à l’horizon 2030. On se laisse porter et on savoure.

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe5/21/2018

Black core with purple rim. Sweet and a little charry on the nose. A little less fruit on the palate than I expected from the aroma. Tannins are chalky but hold a firm grip and this needs time. But there's fruit at the core. (JH) Drink 2024-2030

La Revue du Vin de France

17-18 / 20

byPhilippe Maurangethe5/15/2018

Une production en baisse de 50 %. Le gel a recentré le grand vin sur les parcelles historiques, les plus calcaires, d’où peut-être cette impression de minéralité accrue : un vin strict, réservé, racé, moins exotique, moins opulent que dans les millésimes précédents, tout en sobriété et en allonge.

Vinous

92-95 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018

The 2017 Clos Fourtet is very good, but also very tightly wound. Powerful and tannic, the 2017 is likely to require many years to come in its own. Today, the 2017 is certainly less charming than some recent vintages and other 2017 Saint-Émilions. There is certainly no lack of depth or concentration. The dark red/purplish berry fruit, rose petal and lavender flavors are very nicely delineated. Clos Fourtet is one of the wines that improved over the two weeks I followed it. I won't be surprised if it is even better from bottle.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/11/2018

For a magnificent opening there is a crushed rock nature, followed by a mixed bouquet of flowers, licorice and red berries. With a lovely dense color, this is grand and ornate yet bright and zippy, the fruit flows along perfectly from the attack to the finish. The wine was made from blending 86% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, reaching 14% alcohol.

Vinous

92-94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018

The 2017 Clos Fourtet has a powerful, almost burly bouquet with upfront, quite bold blackberry, raspberry and strawberry fruit that maybe miss the precision of some of the appellation’s more elegant offerings. There is just a touch of cassis and violet that emerges with continued aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, more rounded in texture than its peers. There is impressive volume towards the finish that is uncommon in this vintage, but you have to just stand back and admire its persistence.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/27/2018

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Clos Fourtet is scented of crème de cassis, blueberry compote and plum preserves with touches of hoisin, truffles and dark chocolate plus a waft of anise. Medium to full-bodied, the generous fruit is plushly textured with great freshness, finishing long and spicy.

Decanter.com

94 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2018

Good quality with depth of complexity and layers. An excellent Clos Fourtet that really lives up to the success of recent vintages, if not quite at the level of its 2015 and 2016. Damson, dark chocolate and saline notes are bolstered by extremely dark fruits that have the juice to carry them through the mid-palate, the oak supporting rather than overwhelming. There's a slight austerity and savoury edge to the fruit that speaks of 2017, but this is easily hitting the heights of St-Émilion in this vintage.

Drinking Window 2025 - 2038

Jean-Marc QUARIN

17 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/17/2018

Couleur sombre, intense et belle. Nez intense, au fruité pur, mûr. Nuances à la fois vives et suaves. Caressant à l’attaque, juteux au développement, très fruité et fondant, le vin glisse en bouche, sèveux et finement parfumé. C’est bon ! 

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018

A very sexy young wine with a solid center palate and refined, integrated tannins. Medium body. Everything is in the right place.

Wine Spectator

93-96 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/4/2018

Intense, with blackberry, cassis and boysenberry puree notes racing through, inlaid with subtle anise and black tea details. Offers a gorgeous feel, with a long, fine-grained chalky spine buried on the finish. A beauty.—J.M.