Clos Fourtet vertical

Institute of Directors, London
Tasted Tuesday, July 8, 2008 by Rupert with 813 views

Introduction

98 points from Parker for the 2005 will doubtless heighten the profile of this St Emilion, but it was not impressive at this tasting. The youngsters were ripe and oaky, but not very charming, and the performance of the older wines did little to make me believe that they will develop that charm in the future.

Flight 1 (14 Notes)

  • 2005 Clos Fourtet

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Blackcurrant jam nose, but muted, thick, rich and ripe, with a lot of dry wood - fine tannin, easily absorbed with the fat fruit. Unlike the other top tier 2005s I've tried over the last year, this was not much fun. There's lots of substance there, but it's not obvious to me that it will turn out particularly special.

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  • 2004 Clos Fourtet 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Much more expressive than the 2005, with assertive spicy tobacco nose, light on the palate and attractively refreshing.

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  • 2003 Clos Fourtet 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Intense spicy nose, some gaminess, lots of oak, but fresh and harmonious. Easy, powerful wine. I was out of line with the consensus here who found it over-ripe and over-extracted

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  • 2001 Clos Fourtet 86 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Spicy oak again, but dull and a tad oxidative, soft and indistinct on the palate - charmless

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  • 2000 Clos Fourtet

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Dense, cassis fruit, luxurious texture - clearly a substantial wine but inexpressive today and hard to judge

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  • 1998 Clos Fourtet

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Dense, with a sour oakiness, lots of tannin - lots of fruit too, but locked up. I really didn't care for this, but again I was out of line and this was the group's clear WOTN

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  • 1995 Clos Fourtet 86 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Going brown, some brown sugar sweetness on the palate, but not much fruit, and it finishes dry and grippy - OK, but not a charmer

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  • 1990 Clos Fourtet 87 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Looked old, nose was quite promising - ripe but classic, smooth on the palate, but insubstantial

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  • 1989 Clos Fourtet 86 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Malty nose, fresh, but like the 1990, this was pretty weedy

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  • 1983 Clos Fourtet 88 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Much better than the 1989 or 1990 - this had a silky texture, fresh sweet fruit, the tannins absorbed - a good refreshing mature light claret

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  • 1953 Clos Fourtet 88 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Browning, but plenty of colour, some horsiness, lots of iodine, enticing, nice tang, some grip - actually too much grip

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  • 1929 Clos Fourtet 84 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Pungent marmite nose, but smooth and tangy on the palate - drinkable

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  • 1928 Clos Fourtet 84 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Oxidative nose, sweeter than the 1928, smooth and tangy - drinkable but no better

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  • 1924 Clos Fourtet 88 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    A bit musty, but this seemed to blow off, whisky nose, sweet on the palate, rather burgundian - much the most attractive of the oldsters

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