2020 Clos Fourtet Premier Grand Cru Classe B, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1x750ml

Vinous 92.5

The 2020 Clos Fourtet has a very well-defined bouquet with a mixture of red and black fruit, melted dark chocolate and a touch of mocha. The palate is medium-bodied with a sapid entry and fine balance. It's a little more muscular than its peers, with a very structured finish. More backward than expected (hence the lower score in this blind tasting), this needs four or five years before it entertains drinkability. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. [Neal Martin, 01/11/2024]

Anticipated maturity: 2029-2050

Robert Parker 97

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, 12/04/2021]

Anticipated maturity: 2027-2057