Clos Fourtet 2024 en Primeur

A pretty and crunchy wine with a chalky sensation that gives it a polished texture and a fresh finish. Medium-bodied. Shows potential.

Grand avenir d’un vin…qui fera une grande bouteille.

Amazing fragrance, so expressive but so nuanced, really floral and pristine. Pure and focussed, some softly sweet drops of raspberry and strawberry with chalky tannins - super fine and sinewy muscles. You can really feel the limestone here - the mineral, salty stone, graphite bite. Delicacy as usual, nothing pushed here, more graceful and utterly charming. It has depth, and layers, you don't feel there’s wateriness or a weak mid palate, just grace and elegance. Bitter orange, grapefruit, cranberry and cherry fruit. A yield of 30hl/ha. Densimetric system was used to sort the berries. 3.45pH. Harvest 25th September to 11th October. (Georgina Hindle)

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening, dark berry fruit, a hint of liquorice, a hint of juniper and wood savouriness, multi-faceted, attractive bouquet. Full-bodied, elegant, red cherry, fine tannins, finesse-rich acidity structure, long-lasting, fresh and mineral, sure maturity and certain ageing potential, silky, charming style,. (Peter Moser)

The 2024 Clos Fourtet is a gorgeous, elegant wine. Medium in body, with terrific persistence and notable purity, Clos Fourtet impresses with its balance more than anything else. Dark blue fruits, lavender, spice, menthol, licorice and dried herbs open first, all framed by bright chalky notes that lend freshness. In 2024, Clos Fourtet is built more on persistence than overt textural richness, as has been the case in some recent vintages. Tasted two times. (Antonio Galloni)

Rich and quite spicy notes already from oak (will be 40% new). Underneath there is deep purple berry fruit and already a silky texture with good depth and length. This is tight and will need some time in bottle after its ageing fully to reveal itself, but will be a classic example of how to succeed in the vintage. Everything harvested after the 27/09 (young vineyards) and into October, lots of tries to cut out the botrytis. No chaptalisation here.

Based on 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2024 Château Clos Fourtet was harvested up until October 11 and is resting in 40% new barrels, with the balance in once-used barrels. It offers a terrific limestone character in its red and black berry fruits, alongside notes of sappy flowers, rose, and graphite. These all carry to a medium-bodied Saint-Émilion with a balanced, pure, and elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish.