2006 Ch. Clos Fourtet, St. Emilion

The 2006 is living up to all the promise we saw when tasted from cask in April 2007. The château and vineyards lie over vast cellars cut into the limestone and it is this ancient rock that imparts itself into the wine with its alluring, smokey nose which is followed by plenty of very precise, perfectly refined fruit. It really is a stylish wine of elegance, but with structure too - and nothing has been stretched to achieve this. A slightly higher proportion of Merlot means this will be drinking sooner than some vintages, though 2011-2016 should see it at its best.
(Tom Cave, Cellar Plan Manager - Oct 2008 UGC London Annual Tasting)

Distant relatives of the Léoville-Poyferré family of thesamename,the Cuveliers have, since 2003 in particular, performed miracles atthispicturesque hilltop estate by St Emilion's Roman walls. They were sodelightedwith the quality of the Merlot in 2006 that they have put extra inthe blend for2006, taking it up to 90% (with 10% Cab. Sauvignon). This isclassically rich,spicy plum, damson and cassis St Emilion perfectly reflectingits limestoneterroir. Generous with a stylish elegance, an intense core offruit and lovelybalance; the calling card of Clos Fourtet at its best. (Simon Staples, BBR Fine Wine Director – Apr 2007)

A blend of 80% Merlot and the rest equally split between Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this wine has a dense purple color and a beautifully sweet nose of blackberry and blueberry fruits intermixed with acacia flowers, charcoal, and some subtle oak. The wine is nicely textured, medium-bodied, and very concentrated for a 2006 St.-Emilion, with a certain degree of opulence and sucrosite. This is a beauty, with moderate tannins in the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2027. If you haven’t gotten on the Clos Fourtet bandwagon, now is the time, as demand will certainly increase.
(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - Feb-2009)