Chateau Clos Fourtet   Clos Fourtet

2020 Clos Fourtet

By Chateau Clos Fourtet

2020 Clos Fourtet from Chateau Clos Fourtet, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux

Within the hallowed terroir of Saint-Émilion, one finds the 2020 Clos Fourtet from Chateau Clos Fourtet, a vintage that encapsulates the exquisite complexity and profound depth of character this prestigious chateau is renowned for. With my intimate knowledge of Bordeaux's dynamic climate and the region's historic vintages, I assure you that the 2020 vintage asserts its own remarkable pedigree.

 

A Vintage Distinguished by Its Pedigree

The year 2020 will be remembered for the caprices of nature that imparted both challenge and triumph in the vineyards. The season commenced with an auspicious early bud break, fostered by warm spring temperatures. Yet these gave way to periods of moisture, invoking vigilance amongst vignerons. Summer arrived with a redeeming dryness and punctuated by timely heat, driving the berries to perfect ripeness while retaining their quintessential fresh verve—an ideal prelude to meticulous vinification practices at Clos Fourtet.

 

Investment-worthy Excellence

The 2020 Clos Fourtet unfurls in the glass with an opulent bouquet of black cherries and plum fruits, underpinned by a subtlety of spice and a whisper of violet—a testament to its proximity to Pomerol. Structurally, it conveys finesse over bravado, a balletic interplay of firm yet fine-grained tannins with a resplendent core of Merlot. The finish is long and harmonious, suggesting promising longevity in one’s cellar—an attribute that beckons astute investors.

As a wine investment management company, Cult Wines comprehends the requisite convergence of pleasure and potential in fine wine curation. Therefore, it is incumbent upon me to stress that the 2020 vintage serves as a beacon for collectors seeking both vinous delight and investment sagacity provided by Chateau Clos Fourtet’s masterly crafted wines.

 

Concluding Thoughts on a Stalwart Vintage

I implore those captivated by Bordeaux's rich tapestry to consider the 2020 Clos Fourtet as an exemplar specimen of Saint-Émilion’s magnificence. The vintage stands firmly on its own merits amidst the storied lineage of Chateau Clos Fourtet's offerings. Embodied within each bottle lies a fusion of this fabled winery’s storied past and its thrilling future prospects—indeed, a paragon for discerning palates and judicious portfolios alike.

Market price (USD)

$1,010.00

12x75cl

Highest score

97

POP score

48.82

Scores and tasting notes

96-98

The 2020 Clos Fourtet is a blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc, harvested from 15th to 30th September and weighing in with an alcohol of 14.5% and a pH of 3.6. It is being aged for 14-18 months in 50% new oak barrels, 48% second-fill barrels and 2% amphora. Deep garnet-purple in color, it comes bounding out of the glass with ripe, expressive notes of crushed black plums, juicy black berries and black cherry preserves, followed by hints of ground cloves, cinnamon stick, camphor and cedar chest. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam-packed with bright, vivacious black fruits, framed by velvety tannins and bags of freshness, finishing with great length.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 20 May 2021

Vintage performance