2017 Clos Fourtet
By Chateau Clos Fourtet
2017 Clos Fourtet from Château Clos Fourtet, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
The year was 2017, an especially mercurial one for Bordeaux, challenging vintners with its frost-laden inception. Yet, from this testing period emerged some jewels of winemaking prowess, one of which is the sterling 2017 Clos Fourtet from Château Clos Fourtet. It's a testament to the resilience of the estate and a vintage with a compelling narrative to enthrall fine wine investors and connoisseurs alike.
The Resilience of Terroir: A Vintage Triumph
Spring frosts had set the tone for yield reduction across the region, but Château Clos Fourtet's prime location on Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau accorded it some protection. This resulted in a concentrated selection of fruit that heightened the intensity of the 2017 vintage. My tasting notes reflect its triumph over adversity: a harmony of ripe black cherries and plums, deftly intertwined with an undercurrent of subtle spice and earthy undertones that are quintessentially Saint-Émilion.
Near-Term Gratification & Long-Term Potential
This vintage is truly one for the ages with both immediate appeal and aging potential. The sophisticated investor will observe its firm tannic structure, balanced by impeccable acidity leading to an elegant finish — a sure sign of graceful maturation ahead. With climate conditions yielding lower volumes, the 2017 Clos Fourtet becomes even more prized for its rarity as well as its quality.
Investment-wise, this vintage shows potential for significant appreciation. Its resilience and unusual concentration forge an intriguing profile that stands out amidst its peers, capturing attention within the market.
In summation, the 2017 Clos Fourtet displays all the hallmarks of Château Clos Fourtet's ability to transcend climatic challenges. With its combination of immediate charm and aging aptitude, this particular offering from Saint-Émilion is not merely a bottle but a narrative of victory over the elements — stitched into the tapestry of Bordeaux's diverse climatic chronicles — esteemed by those who understand that every challenging vintage has its silver lining.
Current market price
$1,470.00
12x75cl
Highest score
95
POP score
58.67
Scores and tasting notes
A very sexy young wine with a solid center palate and refined, integrated tannins. Medium body. Everything is in the right place.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com
Intense, with blackberry, cassis and boysenberry puree notes racing through, inlaid with subtle anise and black tea details. Offers a gorgeous feel, with a long, fine-grained chalky spine buried on the finish. A beauty.—J.M.
Wine Spectator - James Molesworth - winespectator.com
The 2017 Clos Fourtet is very good, but also very tightly wound. Powerful and tannic, the 2017 is likely to require many years to come in its own. Today, the 2017 is certainly less charming than some recent vintages and other 2017 Saint-Émilions. There is certainly no lack of depth or concentration. The dark red/purplish berry fruit, rose petal and lavender flavors are very nicely delineated. Clos Fourtet is one of the wines that improved over the two weeks I followed it. I won't be surprised if it is even better from bottle.
Antonio Galloni - Antonio Galloni - vinous.com - May '18
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Clos Fourtet is scented of crème de cassis, blueberry compote and plum preserves with touches of hoisin, truffles and dark chocolate plus a waft of anise. Medium to full-bodied, the generous fruit is plushly textured with great freshness, finishing long and spicy.
Wine Advocate - Lisa Perrotti-Brown - robertparker.com
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Clos Fourtet is profoundly scented of baked blackberries, plum preserves, mulberries and kirsch with hints of cedar chest, iron ore and tapenade plus a waft of smoked meats. Medium-bodied, the palate is laden with earthy/savory nuances, supported by finely grained tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long and earthy. The blend is 90% Merlot,7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Franc. It was aged for 16 months in french oak barrels, 60% new.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 16 March 2020
The 2017 Clos Fourtet has a powerful, almost burly bouquet with upfront, quite bold blackberry, raspberry and strawberry fruit that maybe miss the precision of some of the appellation’s more elegant offerings. There is just a touch of cassis and violet that emerges with continued aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, more rounded in texture than its peers. There is impressive volume towards the finish that is uncommon in this vintage, but you have to just stand back and admire its persistence.
Neal Martin - Neal Martin - vinous.com - May '18