1998 Clos Fourtet

Clos Fourtet is a 45-acre estate in the St.-Emilion appellation of Bordeaux, France. It is ranked as a Premier Grand Cru Classe B in the classification system of the St.-Emilion. Wine has been made at the estate since the mid-18th century. Today the estate is owned by Philippe Cuvelier, who also owns Chateau Poujeaux. The vineyards are planted to 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Some 5,000 cases of Clos Fourtet are produced annually. There is also a second wine, Closerie de Fourtet. Robert M. Parker Jr. believes that the estate “has been resurrected” by Cuvelier, and that in the last decade it “has been one of the best premiers grand crus classes of St.-Emilion, with striking richness, color, intensity and minerality.”

Saint-Émilion is on the east side of the Dordogne River. At 13,400 acres it is one of Bordeaux’s largest appellations, and perhaps its most picturesque. It is also home to what has been called “the garagiste” movement of upstart, tradition-defying winemakers who produce artisanal wines in styles that are unconventional for the appellation. The village of Saint-Émilion dates from the middle ages and it sits on low hills, surrounded by ancient walls. Like its neighbor Pomerol, Saint-Émilion was not included in the famous Bordeaux classification system of 1855. But a century later a ranking system was put in place, and unlike the classification system for the Medoc, the Saint-Émilion system is reviewed every ten years, meaning that estates can be upgraded or downgraded. There are three rankings: Grand Cru Classé, Premier Grand Cru Classé B and Premier Grand Cru Classé A, with the final ranking being the best. Such legendary Saint-Émilion estates as Châteaux Ausone and Cheval-Blanc are Premier Grand Cru Classé A, along with Châteaux Pavie and Angélus, both added to the classification in 2012. Wines in this appellation are primarily Merlot, mixed with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.