Clos Fourtet – 33330 Saint-Emilion – France T. +33 (0)5 57 24 70 90

Clos Fourtet – 33330 Saint-Emilion – France
T. +33 (0)5 57 24 70 90 – F. +33 (0)5 57 74 46 52
[email protected] – www.closfourtet.com
Blend :
Yield :
Barrel ageing :
Mid flowering point :
Mid colourcolour-change point :
Picking dates :
85 % Merlot 15 % Cabernet Sauvignon.
38 hectolitres/hectare
80 % new barrels
17 May
25 July
16 September to 09 October
Weather conditions :
The winter was quite mild on the whole, but the weather deteriorated in May and June. July had
low rainfall, which benefited the beginning of the grape colour-change. August was rainy and
warm which prolonged the vine’s period of growth (as in a tropical climate) and delayed the
completion of colour-change. September was hot and dry, enabling us to finish our work and
obtain concentrated grapes and a high quality crop.
Growing season :
After bud-break in mid-March and a fine, hot month of April, the vines started to shoot at great
speed. Over the short period of flowering around May 17, favourable weather promised an
abundant crop. July had low rainfall, and at the beginning of the colour-change we de-leafed on
the east side of the rows and crop thinned. Around August 28, after a period of heat-waves, we
de-leafed on the south side of the rows to help the grapes complete the ripening and at the same
time we removed any bunches that had not completely changed colour, so as to get all the crop
ripening at the same stage across the plots. A hot and dry September enabled us to complete our
work and bring in grapes that were homogeneously ripe and concentrated.
Vinification :
The picking began with the early-ripening plots on September 16 and finished with the Cabernet
Franc and Sauvignon on October 9. The vatting period lasted 3 weeks with 8 days of alcoholic
fermentation during which we did 2 pump-overs a day, and over this period we broke up the cap
of skins 4 times during délestages (rack and returns). Once the new wine was run off, we did the
malo-lactic fermentation in barrels where the wine continued its ageing in the upper cellar, and in
March we took the barrels down to the underground quarries after carrying out the blending for
the Clos Fourtet. The wines continued their ageing in the quarries until 1999, when they were
brought up again to be put into vat and then bottled 3 months later.
Tasting notes :
A lovely, bright colour.
A discreet nose expresses hints of acid red berry fruit, such as redcurrants, cedar-wood and
vanilla. The palate has finesse and harmony with a certain freshness in a good overall balance. A
clean, pure wine for immediate pleasure.
Clos Fourtet – 33330 Saint-Emilion – France
T. +33 (0)5 57 24 70 90 – F. +33 (0)5 57 74 46 52
[email protected] – www.closfourtet.com
Wine Spectator : Note : 88
Pretty blackberry and cherry aromas. Medium-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and silky tannins.
Clos Fourtet did well here. Lovely now. Best after 2001
The Wine Advocate : Apr. 2000 note : 87
This easy-going, delicious, creamy-textured 1997 exhibits abundant toasty new oak along with
jammy black fruits. There is not much grip or tannin in this supple, richly fruity, charming, tasty
St.-Emilion. Enjoy it over the next 7-8 years.
Apr.1999 note : 8787-89
The 1997 Clos Fourtet exhibits a saturated purple color, in addition to a sweet, pure, blackberryscented nose that has not yet taken on additional nuances. The wine is medium-bodied, low in
acidity, ripe, hedonistic, and seductive. Anticipated maturity: now-2010
Apr.1998 note : 8686-88
Under the leadership of proprietor Andre Lurton, this property has been producing fine wines.
Clos Fourtet's 1997 reveals a saturated ruby/purple color, as well as plenty of sweet blackberry
fruit intermingled with gravel/mineral-like and toasty oak nuances. Elegant and impressively sweet
and ripe, Clos Fourtet's only shortcoming may be its so-so finish and subtle herbaceousness in its
flavors. Light to moderate tannin suggests 2-3 years of cellaring might be warranted.
Anticipated maturity: 2001-2012.
Le Guide Hachette des Vins Edition 2001
C’est dans les millésimes difficiles qu’on reconnaît les bons vinificateurs. Nos dégustateurs
n’étaient pas portés à l’indulgence, mais ils n’ont pas refusé un coup de cœur à ce vin
exceptionnel. Il est dû à deux frères, André et Lucien Lurton, fortes personnalités du monde
viticole bordelais, à leur régisseur Tony Ballu et au maître de chai Daniel Alard.
Les qualificatifs de dégustation sont unanimes : robe somptueuse ; concentration olfactive
époustouflante où le bon bois respecte le raisin mûr ; richesse en bouche étonnante, charnue,
dense, charpentée, racée très Saint Emilion. Précisons que 85% de merlot président à
l’assemblage, que ce cru établi sur un sol argilo-calcaire remarquable ; que la demeure XVIII est
élégante… et qu’on ne compte plus les millésimes coup de cœur Guide Hachette.
La Revue du Vin de France : Mai 2000
Grenat soutenu, il présente un nez très grillé et des fruits presque noirs. En bouche, on note une
chair et des tannins qui possèdent du « jus », même si le boisé confortable et la finale un peu dure
à ce stade. Ce vin se révèle plus musculeux que fin, mais on le verra dans cinq ans.
Septembre 2000
La robe apparaît vive et brillante, d’une rare profondeur pour l’année. Le nez offre une belle
intensité et un fruit qui se développe à l’aération. En bouche les tannins bien construits ne
présentent rien en rusticité mais une jolie matière. Moins en finesse, elle possède du corps et de
la longueur.
Gault Millau : Septembre 1999 note : 17
Grenat foncé, nez étoffé, tannins sérieux, vin structuré, équilibré, nez boisé sensible. Rendement
de 38 hl/ha, un beau représentant du millésime.
Clos Fourtet – 33330 Saint-Emilion – France
T. +33 (0)5 57 24 70 90 – F. +33 (0)5 57 74 46 52
[email protected] – www.closfourtet.com
Vino Veritas : Mai 2000
Fourtet et non fourre-tout, car n’est entré dans cette bouteille que du beau monde : habit
somptueux, peu bavard il est vrai, quoique profond et robuste, sans vulgarité aucune, le fruit mûr
se maintenant en filigrane. Il impressionne dès l’attaque en bouche, met en avant une structure
bien proportionnée et des contours enjôleurs pour finalement exhiber de splendides tannins
d’avenir. Un sacré caractère et du potentiel !
Les 30 jours de cuvaison du merlot (85%) et du cabernet sauvignon et l’élevage dans 80% de
bois neuf ont débouché sur un vin qui se déguste, mais, rassurez-vous, qui se boit aussi.
Clos Fourtet – 33330 Saint-Emilion – France
T. +33 (0)5 57 24 70 90 – F. +33 (0)5 57 74 46 52
[email protected] – www.closfourtet.com