Made from 85% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2005 Clos Fourtet is a powerhouse that does everything right and is borderline perfection in a glass. Awesome notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, graphite, tobacco, and scorched earth all flow to a full-bodied, thrilling concentrated, textured beauty that has sweet, sweet tannins, a deep, layered mid-palate, and a finish that won’t quit. I think it’s drinking perfectly today, but it has two more decades of prime drinking ahead of it. Don’t’ miss this stunning bottle of wine!

Dense ruby/purple, with notes of crushed rock, blueberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with some licorice and chocolate, this full-bodied, massive wine from proprietor Philippe Cuvelier coincides with the resurrection of this premier grand cru classé in St.-Emilion. As the wine sits in the glass, notes of espresso roast and chocolate emerge. This full-bodied classic should continue to drink well for another 25 years. This is a killer effort.- RP

It's the razor blade of crushed limestone that runs down the middle of your palate that grabs your attention. From there, I headed back to the nose due to its floral, dark cocoa, red fruit, crushed rock, and licorice. Deep in color, from the looks of it, you could easily confuse this with the 2015. Concentrated, opulent, dense and elegant, the sexy, vibrant, red fruit and flower-filled finish tastes and feels great. Give this 2 hours in the decanter or wait 5 years and it is going to be a cellar treasure! Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2005&wine=Clos%20Fourtet

A perfumed, sweet wine, immediately attractive. Behind this friendly exterior is a dark core of firm tannins, along with spice, blackberries, and new wood—not too much, just right. This chateau is firmly back on form. ROGER VOSS

Features a lovely smoldering feel, with the currant and fig paste notes now melded seamlessly with apple wood and graphite details. Long and rich, this is starting to hint at a secondary phase, showing flashes of mulled spice, tobacco and tar. The structure has brightness and energy, but moves slowly to the background. Approachable now.—Blind '01/'03/'05 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2017). Drink now through 2035. 3,833 cases made. — JM