2012 Clos Fourtet
Buying options
Tasting notes
This is a wine with layers of fruit and firm yet polished tannins. Full body, juicy and rich. It shows outstanding depth for the vintage. James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
Juicy and open, with a bright mix of strawberry, pomegranate and cherry fruit laced with a pleasantly firm structure. Shows more flesh and dark fruit with aeration, releasing a pleasant graphite note and hinting at buried perfume. Should be solid with some aging. WineSpectator.com—J.M.
Having just had the 2003 and 2005 from my cellar, I can attest to the magnificent turnaround in quality this famous estate on the eastern side of St.-Emilion has achieved. All of it is attributable to its dynamic proprietor, Philippe Cuvelier. The 2012 Clos Fourtet (usually 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc) has beautiful blackberry and blueberry fruit and an inky purple color. With flawless integration of acidity, tannin, wood and alcohol, a full-bodied mouthfeel and stunning richness, this is impressive and certainly one of the vintage's top wines. It should evolve beautifully for 15-20 years, and be drinkable in 3-4. Yields were a modest 32 hectoliters per hectare with the alcohol at 14%. Apr 2015, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
The Cuvelier family took over Clos Fourtet in 2001 and modernised the estate – renovating the winery and undertaking significant replanting. Its 18.5 hectares sit on the limestone plateau.