2016 Clos Fourtet, St-Emilion

SKU #1397796 100 points Decanter

Outer quote mark So amazingly nuanced, such elegance combined with ripeness, a vintage that many say is wonderful, as do I. Blackberry and dark cherry, cool blueberry and wet stone minerality delivered in a seamless palate, even more than the 2005 – at least at this tasting. Add to this the impressive concentration, and you get Yin and Yang. A bit of crushed tobacco lends freshness to a very long, cool and thoroughly classy finish. 3.45pH. (PK) Inner quote mark (4/2023)

97 points Jane Anson

Outer quote mark Huge depth of colour, this delivers aromatics to dive right into, packed with violet flowers and baked fruit. The tannic structure remains young and very much in control, with edges of austerity, cradling the fruit, but once you wade through the first few moments, things relax to show creamy raspberry, black cherry and damson, with cocoa bean, espresso, sandalwood, incense, tobacco leaf. Pretty closed down at the moment, great lift on the finish and the sappy saline character, with an eucaluyptus, from ripe Merlot on limestone, just a beautiful wine that you will want to share, but give it time. 60% new oak. Stephane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consultants. Inner quote mark (4/2023)

97 points Jeb Dunnuck

Outer quote mark One of the gems in the vintage that should be snatched up by readers is the 2016 Château Clos Fourtet. Coming from a magical 20-hectare vineyard located on the upper, limestone-driven plateau just outside Saint-Emilion and a blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc from small yields of 38 hectoliters per hectare, it spent 16 months in 60% new French oak (and a small portion of the blend saw malo in barrel as well). Its saturated purple color is followed by a monster bouquet of ripe blackberries, cassis, graphite, and crushed rocks, and it picks up more blue fruits, truffle, and limestone minerality with time in the glass. This deep, full-bodied, powerful Saint-Emilion has some similarities to Canon yet is deeper and richer, with a more powerful yet still elegant style. It’s a brilliant bottle of wine to hide for 4-5 years and drink over the following 2-3 decades. Inner quote mark (2/2019)

97 points James Suckling

Outer quote mark Love the dark-berry and intense black-olive and chocolate aromas that follow through to a full body and firm and chewy tannins that deliver a rich and delicious finish. Such polish and, at the same time, finesse. But one of the cellar. Inner quote mark (2/2019)

97 points The Wine Independent

Outer quote mark Clos Fourtet 2016 is blended from 90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc and has a deep garnet color, with a touch of purple. The nose is shut down initially, soon unfurling to offer up notes of plum preserves, boysenberries and fruitcake, plus wafts of Indian spices, dusty soil, and garrigue. Full-bodied, the palate is super-rich, jam-packed with black fruits and exotic spice layers, supported by ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with epic length. Inner quote mark (12/2022)

96 points Wine Enthusiast

Outer quote mark This structured wine shows a classical Bordeaux balance between fruit and acidity on the one hand and tannins and firm structure on the other. It also offers generous black-currant fruit and a fresh aftertaste. *Cellar Selection* (RV) Inner quote mark (5/2019)

95 points Wine Spectator

Outer quote mark Lively, with a juicy, mouthfilling mix of loganberry, black currant and bramble flavors pumping through, laced liberally with licorice snap and roasted apple wood notes. Tobacco and savory accents provide detail, while a beautifully fine chalky thread adds length. (JM) Inner quote mark (3/2019)

94 points Vinous

Outer quote mark The 2016 Clos-Fourtet has a glorious bouquet of copious blackberry, raspberry, mint and autumn leaf aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, a fine bead of acidity, good grip and a solid, dense but delineated finish that lingers. There is a sense of classicism pervading this Saint-Émilion, which has a long future ahead. Outstanding. (NM) Inner quote mark (1/2020)

Jancis Robinson

Outer quote mark Lovely sweet and seductive wine without exaggeration. Great balance and attraction. All in its place. Long and rich. Appetising. (JR) Inner quote mark (1/2020)

K&L Notes

97 points Antonio Galloni for Vinous: "The 2016 Clos Fourtet is vivid, explosive and simply captivating. Inky blue/purplish berry fruit, lavender, spice and white flowers are all vivid in the glass, but it is the wine's silky, seamless personality that elevates it into a place among the wines of the vintage. In 2016, Clos Fourtet is stunningly beautiful and utterly compelling. This is a tremendous showing from proprietor Matthieu Cuvelier and consulting winemaker Stéphane Derenoncourt. Tasted two times." (12/2018)


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Price: $139.99

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Product Reviews:

By: Steve Bearden | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 4/25/2019 | Send Email
A wine of impressive raw material that is put together so seamlessly you will be tempted to drink it too young. Scents of violets, lavender and licorice lead to a glycerin textured middle of brambly raspberry and ripe black cherry fruit that resonate with hints of creosote and limestone. This big, sexy wine finishes quite elegantly with sweet, fine tannin. Decant tonight if you dare but it will only get better with time.

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