Clos Fourtet 1er Grand Cru Classé (1996)
SommeliAI Insights
A mature Saint-Émilion Grand Cru with rich black fruit flavors, toasty oak, and floral notes.
About this wine
The 1996 Clos Fourtet from Saint-Émilion presents a deep ruby color, offering aromas of sweet black raspberry, blackberry, toasty oak, and floral scents. On the palate, it is fleshy and expansive, with low acidity and a long, multilayered, fruit-driven finish. The ripe tannins contribute to its seductive and charming character. This wine has the weight, richness, and extract to last for 15-20 years, but it should be drinkable early. The vineyard's limestone and clay soils contribute to the wine's complexity and aging potential.
About the grape
Clos Fourtet's 1996 vintage from Saint-Émilion is primarily composed of Merlot (85%), with smaller portions of Cabernet Franc (5%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%). Merlot thrives in the region's limestone and clay soils, contributing to the wine's supple texture and rich fruit flavors. Cabernet Franc adds aromatic complexity and structure, while Cabernet Sauvignon provides depth and aging potential. The vineyard's unique terroir, combined with traditional winemaking practices, allows these varietals to express their full character in this esteemed Premier Grand Cru Classé wine.
Quick facts
- 🍇 Clos Fourtet's vineyard spans 19 hectares, with 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc.
- ⛰️ The estate's limestone plateau provides excellent drainage, contributing to the wine's freshness and minerality.
- 🍷 The 1996 vintage of Clos Fourtet is noted for its dark fruit aromas, vanilla, and cedarwood, with a firm mid-palate and balanced alcohol.
- 🏰 Clos Fourtet's underground cellars, carved into limestone, offer ideal conditions for aging wines.
- 🥂 The estate's second wine, Closerie de Fourtet, is produced from younger vines and parcels not used in the Grand Vin.
Palate profile
Producer
Clos Fourtet, originally known as Camp Fourtet, began as a fortified structure in the Middle Ages, strategically positioned to protect the town of Saint-Émilion. In the 18th century, the Rulleau family transformed the site into a vineyard, constructing the present château and renaming it Clos Fourtet in 1868. The estate has changed hands several times, with notable ownership by the Ginestet family in 1919 and the Lurton family in 1949. Since 2001, it has been owned by the Cuvelier family, who have invested significantly in modernizing the winery and enhancing its reputation. An interesting feature of Clos Fourtet is its extensive underground limestone cellars, spanning approximately 13 hectares, which provide ideal conditions for aging wine.
