2021 Clos Fourtet

95 POINTS

James Suckling

Lots of vibrant blue berries, black cherries, and violets followed by eucalyptus and vanilla beans with subtle black ink and stony mineral notes. Full-bodied, solid tannins with soft acidity. Wonderful frame and structure with density. Sophisticated. Try after 2026.

95 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2021 Clos Fourtet is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage on the Right Bank. Towering in its stature, the 2021 is a regal wine endowed with tremendous energy and vibrancy. This classically austere Saint-Émilion oozes class from the very first taste. Blue/purplish fruit, spice, lavender and menthol are some of the aromas and flavors that build into the resonant, deeply pitched finish. What a wine. Points: 94-96

94 POINTS

James Suckling

A polished and creamy red with bright currant, raspberry and clove character. Silky, supple tannins and fresh acidity. Excellent length.

94 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2021 Clos Fourtet is a dark, imposing wine. Blackberry, gravel, scorched earth, leather, incense and clove infuse the 2021 with tons of character. This is definitely a wine from a cold year—a year lacking in sunshine. In that sense, Clos Fourtet is wonderfully expressive, as it paints a very accurate portrait of a place and a growing season. All it needs is time to soften.

93 POINTS

James Suckling

A polished and creamy red with bright currant, raspberry and clove character. Silky, supple tannins and fresh acidity. Excellent length. Points: 93-94

93 POINTS

Georgina Hindle - Decanter

A little high toned initially, the fruit is bright with good acidity but lacks a little density with slightly astringent tannins. It's polished though, there is a nice clarity to the strawberry and red cherry fruit but is missing some weight on the mid-palate. Liquorice and crushed stone come in on the end showing the terroir in the glass. The tannins are fine and well integrated and support the black fruits, this is gentle and delicate. Perhaps less showy and forward than some but has a delicate and almost shy nature at the moment. A little bit harder to understand right now but this does feel well worked with refinement on show. It will be interesting to taste after ageing. Tasted three times. 3.6pH. A yield of 40hL/ha. 14-18 months ageing 50% new barrels, 48% second-fill barrels, 2% amphora.

92 POINTS

William Kelley - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

A bend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Clos Fourtet offers up inviting aromas of wild berries and plums mingled with hints of black truffle, violets, potpourri and dark chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping, it's lively and layered, with beautifully refined tannins, bright acids and a long, sapid finish. Harvest lasted until October 15, which shows in unusual depth and plenitude for the vintage. Tasted three times.

92 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2021 Clos Fourtet was picked September 28 to October 15 and matured in 50% new oak. Around 20% of the vats underwent saignée . This has a powerful bouquet of dark cherries, red plum, mint and violets. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. A less concentrated Clos Fourtet, even with the bleeding, but it retains balance and displays salinity and precision on the finish. This is promising, though it might be eclipsed by the 2019 and the 2020 in the long term. Still, I can see this maturing in style. (13.5% alcohol) Points: 91-93