Chateau Clos Fourtet 1er Grand Cru Classe St-Emilion
Name:
Chateau Clos Fourtet 1er Grand Cru Classe St-Emilion - 1999
Where it's from:
>France
>Bordeaux
>St-Emilion
Price per case:
£348.34
Bottle size:
75 cl
Bottles per case:
12
Style:
Soft & Supple Reds
Grapes:
Merlot / Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon
Description:
Château Clos Fourtet is a St. Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classé property located just outside the entrance to the town. It is distinguished by its beautiful ivy-covered manor house and some of the most extensive underground cellars in the region.
Clos Fourtet has 19 hectares of vineyards planted with Merlot (72%), Cabernet Franc (22%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (6%). The wine is vinified traditionally and is aged in oak barriques (60-70% new) for 18 months. It is bottled unfiltered.
Clos Fourtet has had several owners over the years and underwent a mini-renaissance under the stewardship of the Lurtons in the latter half of the last century. Pierre Lurton was the winemaker who really established the property`s reputation as one of the finest on the St. Martin plateau. He left to become winemaker at Cheval Blanc and was replaced by Daniel Alard. In January 2001, Clos Fourtet was bought by Paris businessman Phillipe Cuvelier
Saint-Emilion's limestone plateau produces some of the appellation's most illustrious wines and Clos Fourtet is enviably situated there. The manor house was built just before the French Revolution and is on the outskirts of the medieval town of Saint-Emilion. Clos Fourtet owes its exclusive reputation to the Rulleau and Carles families. The latter were lords of Figeac. They were the first to grow vines on this barely arable land, which nevertheless has outstanding natural drainage. Clos Fourtet's traditional winemaking methods are supported by the most modern techniques and the ageing in new oak barrels complement all the goodness that nature has bestowed. 80% new barrels. "A very fine effort...the 1995 exhibits a medium-dark plum colour, followed by sweet black cherry and kirsch fruit intertwined with minerals and toasty oak. Tightly-wound on the palate, with medium body, excellent delineation and purity, and a spicy finish...Anticipated maturity, 2004-2018." Parker, 88. (12 x 75 cl)
A first class property that is starting to make wines worthy of its status as Premier Grand Cru Classe. The grape mix is very Saint Emilion, 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, all of which can vary depending on the vintage (12 x 75 cl)
Saint-Emilion's limestone plateau produces some of the appellation's most illustrious wines and Clos Fourtet is enviably situated there. The manor house was built just before the French Revolution and is on the outskirts of the medieval town of Saint-Emilion. Clos Fourtet owes its exclusive reputation to the Rulleau and Carles families. The latter were lords of Figeac. They were the first to grow vines on this barely arable land, which nevertheless has outstanding natural drainage. Clos Fourtet's traditional winemaking methods are supported by the most modern techniques and the ageing in new oak barrels complement all the goodness that nature has bestowed. 80% new barrels. "...fruit-driven, medium-bodied, corpulent and exuberant. Glorious fruit, sweet oak, and stony mineral scents make for an attractive wine that can be drunk immediately after bottling, as well as over the next 10-15 years." Parker, . (12 x 75 cl)
A first class property that is starting to make wines worthy of its status as Premier Grand Cru Classe. The grape mix is very Saint Emilion, 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, all of which can vary depending on the vintage (6 x 75 cl)
A first class property that is starting to make wines worthy of its status as Premier Grand Cru Classe. The grape mix is very Saint Emilion, 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, all of which can vary depending on the vintage (12 x 75 cl)