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Clos Fourtet may not have started as a vineyard, but its story is one for the ages. Built originally as a medieval fort – Camfourtet, which roughly translates to "Camp Fort" – this property has seen centuries of change. From its defensive roots to its transformation into one of Saint-Émilion’s most sought-after estates, Clos Fourtet has always been a symbol of resilience, evolution, and excellence. 

Clos Fourtet’s journey into the modern era is intertwined with the Cuvelier family, whose acquisition in 2001 brought about a renaissance for this historic property. The family, already known for their ownership of Château Poujeaux in Moulis, set about modernizing the estate, completely overhauling the winemaking facilities, replanting vineyards, and investing in sustainable and biodynamic practices. Their efforts, combined with their keen understanding of Bordeaux, have made Clos Fourtet a force to be reckoned with – and the 2022 vintage stands as a testament to their commitment.

The vineyard, located just a stone's throw from the village of Saint-Émilion, spans 22 hectares of prime terroir, where the limestone plateau and deep clay soils create an ideal growing environment for Merlot, the star grape of the Right Bank. In fact, 85% of Clos Fourtet is planted to Merlot, with the rest divided between Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, making for a blend that’s rich, complex, and utterly captivating. The vines, averaging 30 years of age, were largely replanted in 1991, and as they continue to mature, the quality of Clos Fourtet's wines will only improve.

But it’s not just the terroir and vine age that set Clos Fourtet apart. The Cuvelier family has spared no expense in pushing the boundaries of winemaking, working with the acclaimed consultants Stéphane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet. Derenoncourt, known for his focus on ripe fruit, and Berrouet, famous for his decades at the helm of Château Pétrus, bring a unique dynamic to Clos Fourtet’s winemaking. The result is a wine that’s finely balanced, with rich fruit, complex aromas, and a structure that promises both immediate pleasure and aging potential.

With only 4,500 cases produced per year, Clos Fourtet is not just a wine – it’s a treasure. And while the estate has roots that stretch back centuries, the 2022 vintage is a bold declaration of the future. It combines the best of tradition and innovation, bringing together the natural beauty of Saint-Émilion’s terroir with cutting-edge winemaking techniques.

2022 was an extraordinary vintage for Bordeaux, it was blessed with a 97 pt review by Wine Spectator who said: "A beautiful vintage. Merlot berries were small and concentrated; Cabernet Franc also relished the conditions. Wines are very aromatic and sleek, with Pomerol and St.-Emilion excelling"

90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc.

The 2022 Clos Fourtet is every bit as compelling as it was en primeur, maybe even a bit more so. Vertical and explosive, the 2022 offers a captivating mix of textural opulence and classic structure. The blend is 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc. One of the key signatures of Clos Fourtet is the presence of Cabernet Sauvignon, which is rarely seen on the Saint-Émilion plateau but seems to add weight and gravitas here. Dark blue fruits, new leather, spice, menthol and espresso stain the palate as the 2022 gradually reveals its considerable pedigree. The 2022 was raised in a mix of 58% once-used barrels, 40% new oak and 2% amphora. More importantly, it is without question one of the wines of the vintage. ~99 Vinous Media

Deep dark ruby in colour with an opaque core, purple reflections, and subtle brightening on the rim. A very inviting bouquet on the nose, with attractive black berry fruit, cassis underpinned by floral notes, some liquorice, and subtle hints of tangerine zest. The powerful palate is juicy and elegant, with a fresh texture and ripe, supporting tannins. A wine full of finesse and very long-lasting with a saline-mineral, slightly chocolatey finish. Great ageing potential. ~98 Falstaff

Vivid damson plum colour, medium to full intensity, toasted pine nuts and liquorice on the opening beats, still firm tannins and a ton of wet stone-tinged tannins, slate, pumice stone, texture and slow progression through the palate. Smoked caramel and cocoa bean add luscious sense of joy. This is a beautiful wine. Owner Matieu Cuvelier. ~98 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

The 2022 Clos Fourtet is based on a normal blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc that was brought up 40% new oak, with the balance in once-used barrels. It has incredibly pure aromatics of black cherries, black raspberries, scorched earth, graphite, white flowers, and truffly minerality. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, pure, detailed beauty that has flawless overall balance, a silky, elegant mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It's one of the more seamless, pretty, elegant wines in the vintage and should benefit from a decade of cellaring. It’s a fabulous expression of this crème de la crème terroir on the upper limestone plateau. ~98 Jeb Dunnuck

With a dark, almost purple hue, the wine expresses flowers, licorice, smoke, black cherries, blue fruits, spice, salt and oyster shell. The fruits on the palate are long, rich, elegant, deep, and ripe. There is concentration, silky tannins, vibrancy, length and strong, mineral-influences on the mid-palate, and in the opulent, lively, long and intense finish. This is the first vintage where the parcels of Grandes Murailles were integrated into Clos Fourtet. The wine blends blending 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% ABV, 3.54 pH. The harvest took place, September 9 - September 27. Drink from 2027-2055. ~98 The Wine Cellar Insider

Gorgeous perfume on the nose, roses and violets, floral, expressive and so inviting. Sleek and straight from the start, the grip comes almost straight away - a crushed stone and graphite edge to the tannins giving cool freshness as well as bite. Feels suave and controlled, nothing too much or out of place. Refined and supremely elegant but still with a serious and dark core, it’s powerful and intense but that comes a few minutes after the playful juiciness and lively acidity settles. Complete and cool and puts you in St-Emilion on limestone with an inescapable and intense salty grip. Confident and supremely well made with a light touch. A yield of 36hl/ha. 3.54pH. Ageing 14-18 months; 40% new barrels, 58% second wine, 2% amphora, in underground cellars. Harvest 9 September - 27 September. ~97 Decanter

Extremely aromatic with iron, chalk, lead pencil and currants following through to a medium to full body with integrated tannins that are polished and very long. Wonderful balance to this with just hints of fresh herbs like basil and thyme. A blend of 90% merlot, 7% cabernet sauvignon and 3% cabernet franc. Give this four or five years to come together. ~97 James Suckling

Dark fruits and rich tannins mark out this powerful wine. It is a dense wine, with juicy acidity. With its concentration and succulence, it is full of promise. This is a fine wine. ~96 Wine Enthusiast

This is alluring, with a core of gently mulled blackberry and boysenberry fruit that shows a smoldering edge, with black tea, licorice, apple wood and tobacco details. There's underlying tension too, with a tug of chalk buried deeply on the very long and well-structured finish. For the cellar. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2042. 3,800 cases made. ~96 Wine Spectator

The 2022 Clos Fourtet has turned out exceptionally well, offering an enticing bouquet of rose, plums, dark berries, licorice and spices. Medium to full-bodied, enrobing and seamless, it's deep and complete with a fleshy core of fruit, velvety tannins and a long, mineral and saline finish enhanced by notes of vibrant dark berries. As readers may remember, this blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc was matured for 18 months in 50% new barrels, used barrels and amphorae.  ~95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

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