Chateau Clos Fourtet 2011

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Clos Fourtet is a continuing success. This 2011 is both rich and seriously structured. Ripe, with a mineral character, it starts firm and then shows generous blackberry fruits. Still young, it should not be drunk before 2018."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "This is another brilliant offering from Philippe Cuvelier, who has totally revolutionized the quality of this famous estate. The 2011 Clos Fourtet exhibits a dense blue/purple color as well as beautiful notes of creme de cassis, blueberries and raspberries, a complete as well as layered mid-palate, sweet tannin, good acidity and a charming personality. This is a highly successful effort for the vintage. Consume it over the next 10-12 years."

FALSTAFF: "Reife dunkle Beerenfrucht, feines Brombeerkonfit, angenehme Gewürznote, Orangenzesten, facettenreiches Bukett. Stoffig, süßer Kern, frisch strukturiert, feste Tannine, sehr elegant und anhaltend, dunkle Beeren auch im Abgang, feines Schokofinish."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Sleek, with wonderfully focused cassis, blackberry and plum fruit, layered seamlessly with polished tannins. Long and refined, revealing a buried minerality on the finish. Best from 2016 through 2026. 3,750 cases made. –JM"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "The wine is tight at the moment, with elements of minerality, plum and fennel that barely poke through. There is good concentration, but the soft, blackberry finished is marred by hints of dry tannins."

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Schönes, geradliniges Kirschenbouquet, Lakritze. Im Gaumen sehr fein, eng gegliedert, dezent mürbe Gerbstoffe, Darjeelingtee im aromatischen, langen Finale. Kann noch einen Punkt zulegen."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A solid wine with berry and chocolate character. Full body, polished tannins. Needs time to come together. Better in 2017."