Freddy R. Troya

9.6

Clos Fourtet 2023 – Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, 1er Grand Cru Classé. BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A profoundly complete and multi-layered Saint-Émilion delivering depth, finesse, and seamless balance, driven by a 86% Merlot-dominant blend with 8% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon support. The wine unfolds progressively in the glass, revealing complexity and polish without heaviness, combining power with docility and precision in a remarkably composed expression.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry compote, ripe blackberry, plum reduction, crushed limestone, violet petals, dark cocoa, subtle espresso, sweet spice, graphite and gentle herbal lift.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with a silky, luscious texture, ultra-fine tannins, beautifully integrated acidity, layered mid-palate density, and a long, velvety finish that glides effortlessly while continuing to evolve.

Food Pairings
Prime rib, dry-aged ribeye, duck breast with cherry reduction, truffle risotto, mushroom bourguignon, aged Comté or Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Verdict
An elite-level Clos Fourtet showing precision, complexity, and harmony at a very high register. It delivers both immediate pleasure and serious aging potential, balancing richness with clarity and refinement. A reference-point Saint-Émilion for the vintage.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is my kind of wine, layered, progressive, luxurious yet disciplined, and dangerously easy to drink. Silky, luscious, and perfectly balanced, it feels like a bottle that disappears far too quickly because every sip invites the next. My stamp. No pit stop needed, full throttle to the checkered flag. A simplified winner 🏆 — 14 days ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

I think this is the best release of this wine I’ve had. LC22. It’s excellent tonight layered with ripe orchard fruit, gun smoke, salted hazelnuts and exotic spices. The palate is structured and concentrated with a satiny texture and vibrant energy giving way to a saline and mineral laced finale. Delicious! — 3 months ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.0

Fairly simple...tasty but forgetable. Second wine of Clos Fourtet — 9 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

Now with a few years of bottle age, the second release of this elusive Grand Cru, LC20, has really added even more detail and complexity. It needs air—2 hours open is an incredible difference from pop and pour. It’s ultra vinous and layered with a caramelized stone fruited profile with salted hazelnuts, curry leaf, gun smoke and lavender, with a vibrant, satiny mousse and a long saline-mineral inflicted finale. It’s more Selossien in style than the regular Les Beguines which from a personal preference, I love. Last sips were the best. — 5 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Magnum cena navidad — a month ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Amigos cuu — 5 months ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

8.9

Good but meh a bit. — 5 months ago

Shay A

9.5

My contribution for a large, annual BYO champagne dinner. While this was a standout, others were: La Closerie LC20, ‘07 Cristal rosé en mag, ‘19 Westborn BdB

This vintage had 20% addition of red wine.

The notes below about bottle variation is exactly what was experienced this evening. A friend also brought the ‘06 Dom Rosé but there was a clear difference between the two. Whereas my bottle was deep, rich and an interplay of florals, juicy red fruits, fleshy peach and strawberry shortbread cookies, his seemed like a slightly less vibrant (not off putting) and more muted version (maybe low trace TCA?). The significant portion of red wine in this vintage has provided great structure at nearly age 20, and not as evolved as the regular 2006 Dom (more vinous than the creamy ‘07 Cristal rosé).

If I had another, I’d open it in the next year or two for this same profile but wouldn’t be worried about holding another 5+. — 21 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2022 vintage. The Cuveliers are doing a great job here. Their Clos Fourtet might not be for everyone's wallet, but this should make you happy too. Another great 2022, and the best Côte de Baleau I have ever tasted. Black cherries, subtle oak, and flowers. Concentrated, with layers of ripe red and black fruit, embedded in a silky tannic structure with fresh balancing acidity. Highly recommended and terrific value. — a month ago

romo

9.3

A bit of sweetness after so many dry Italians. Still, this proves either it’s pedigree or vintage, maybe both. — a year ago