The 2018 Clos Fourtet, a Bordeaux Blend from the esteemed region of Saint-Émilion in Bordeaux, France, has garnered attention and praise from wine critics for its elegance and complexity. Comprising 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine showcases a balance of fruit intensity, structure, and aging potential.
James Suckling highlights the wine's "beautiful blueberries and black cherries" with "crushed-stone and limestone notes," noting its "focused, fine tannins" and "fresh acidity," recommending it be enjoyed after 2025. Similarly, Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss commends the estate for producing another "fine wine" with "massive concentration" and "succulent acidity," advocating for patience until 2027 to fully appreciate its potential.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate describes the wine as "deep garnet-purple colored," with "intense black fruit notes" and a "medium to full-bodied palate" that is "chock-full of muscular black fruits." The publication praises its "compelling vivacity and tension," with Lisa Perrotti-Brown labeling it "stunning."
Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider notes the wine's inky color and "beautifully ripe, red and black fruits" with a "serious depth of flavor," while Jeb Dunnuck emphasizes its "gorgeous minerality" and "ripe, building tannins," suggesting it will benefit from a few years of aging.
Vinous's Antonio Galloni calls it "one of the most elegant, refined wines of the vintage," with a "magical" quality, while Neal Martin describes it as having a "very pure and intense bouquet."
While Decanter's review is slightly more reserved, noting a "more roasted fruit profile," it acknowledges the wine's "impressive mid-palate concentration."
Overall, the 2018 Clos Fourtet is celebrated for its elegance, concentration, and aging potential, making it a standout offering from the Saint-Émilion plateau.