Clos Fourtet is on a roll, having produced a stunning wine in 2003, and an even more brilliant effort in 2005. Stephane Derenoncourt, the consulting oenologist, has plenty with which to work given the fact that this is a relatively large vineyard (50 acres) planted with 85% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc as well as a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon. The inky/blue/purple-colored 2005 boasts an exceptional perfume of acacia flowers, blackberry and blueberry liqueur, graphite, scorched earth, and background oak. The wine possesses a full-bodied texture and abundant quantities of stunningly pure black fruits. The result is a sumptuous St.-Emilion of great concentration, intensity, and overall balance. This prodigious effort looks set for 25-30 years of evolution. Utterly awesome! Robert Parker
Delectable Wine
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The 2005 Clos Fourtet is a dramatic, sweeping Saint-Émilion endowed with tremendous depth and unctuous intensity. Dark cherry, plum, cedar, tobacco and woodsmoke build as this rapturous, deeply textured wine shows off its allure. Silky, plush and wonderfully expressive, Clos Fourtet is fabulous in 2005. Bright saline notes, that are such a signature of Saint-Émilion's plateau, balance all of the natural richness of the year. Readers lucky enough to own it can look forward to another several decades of exceptional drinking. This is a superb effort from the Cuvelier family. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2021)
The 2005 Clos Fourtet is a dramatic, sweeping Saint-Émilion endowed with tremendous depth and unctuous intensity. Dark cherry, plum, cedar, tobacco and woodsmoke build as this rapturous, deeply textured wine shows off its allure. Silky, plush and wonderfully expressive, Clos Fourtet is fabulous in 2005. Bright saline notes, that are such a signature of Saint-Émilion's plateau, balance all of the natural richness of the year. Readers lucky enough to own it can look forward to another several decades of exceptional drinking. This is a superb effort from the Cuvelier family. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2021)
9.7Greg Gregory
This is an incredible glass of wine. Give it at least another five years.
This is an incredible glass of wine. Give it at least another five years.
9.7Bill Bender
Very stoic and brooding wine. Dark and inky in the glass, creosote and black licorice. Well made but not ready for prime time.
Very stoic and brooding wine. Dark and inky in the glass, creosote and black licorice. Well made but not ready for prime time.
9.0Jörgen Lindström Carlvik
Owner, Brix Wine Consultants
This is a stunner with an amazing mid-palate, where ripe dark berries intermingle with milk chocolate, spicy oak, roasted herbs and sexy, sweet tannins. Positive development adds partially dried plums and figs; all balanced by a lowish but pure streak of acididy.
This is a stunner with an amazing mid-palate, where ripe dark berries intermingle with milk chocolate, spicy oak, roasted herbs and sexy, sweet tannins. Positive development adds partially dried plums and figs; all balanced by a lowish but pure streak of acididy.
9.5Tom Kobylarz
Blindingly good #closfourtet from #2005! @Pascaline Lepeltier
Blindingly good #closfourtet from #2005! @Pascaline Lepeltier
9.5Robert Cunningham
Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop
Wonderful
Wonderful
9.6Andrew Lampasone
Owner Wine Watch Selections
A sweet plummy dark cherry fruit with sweet tobacco spice very rich dark coco 2005 wow a blockbuster big and ripe with lots of everything firm structure needs time but has it all finish 50+ most ex. 2008 sweet berry fruit herbs and some dark coco spice. Soft ripe tannins very forward drinkable style but balanced fresh finish 45+ excellent + 2010 80 20 mr cab? Very rich and ripe bouquet sweet plum dark cherry and sweet tobacco spice. Big and chewy with lots of everything very balanced and fresh finish most excellent+ 50+
A sweet plummy dark cherry fruit with sweet tobacco spice very rich dark coco 2005 wow a blockbuster big and ripe with lots of everything firm structure needs time but has it all finish 50+ most ex. 2008 sweet berry fruit herbs and some dark coco spice. Soft ripe tannins very forward drinkable style but balanced fresh finish 45+ excellent + 2010 80 20 mr cab? Very rich and ripe bouquet sweet plum dark cherry and sweet tobacco spice. Big and chewy with lots of everything very balanced and fresh finish most excellent+ 50+
9.3PM
I’m glad I purchased this and others of early 2000’s way back. Great wines.
I’m glad I purchased this and others of early 2000’s way back. Great wines.
9.5Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego
2005 vintage. Light-medium body. Slightly port-like on the finish. 3.17.23.
2005 vintage. Light-medium body. Slightly port-like on the finish. 3.17.23.
9.3Suneal Vishnupad
Not the biggest fan of Saint emilion wines but this was relatively enjoyable. Nose and taste are quite different. Very complex but not a long or deep finish. Kayla thinks 9.4
Not the biggest fan of Saint emilion wines but this was relatively enjoyable. Nose and taste are quite different. Very complex but not a long or deep finish. Kayla thinks 9.4
9.0WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.