Deep ruby-hued and showing a dense, inward, powerful profile that may be due to a higher percentage of Cabernet Franc than normal, the 2025 Clos Fourtet offers ripe currants, black cherries, graphite, scorched earth, and chocolatey nuances that define the bouquet, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with deep, layered mid-palate richness, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Based on 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon from clay and limestone soils, it's going to need time, but it's certainly loaded with potential.

The 2025 Clos Fourtet is elegant, polished and super refined. Bracing mineral notes cut through a core of dark red and blue-toned fruit. Spice, mocha, new leather and licorice all meld together. Seamless and profoundly elegant, the 2025 impresses with its sensual personality, soft contours and magnificent balance. Time in the glass brings out touches of blood orange and white pepper that lend explosive brilliance through to the gorgeous, sustained finish. The team opted for cool fermentations in the cellar. Most lots saw 21-26 days on skins, which is on the shorter side. Clos Fourtet has recently shifted to doing malolactic fermentation in tank instead of in barrel, which has naturally lowered the wines' oak imprint, highlighted fruit purity and softened their contours. The 2025 is positively stellar. Tasted two times. Grand Vin. (AG)

Fragrant, intense and vivid opening, rose bud, violet flowers, intense and chalky. These are powerful tannins, chalk, pumice stone, a slow and gentle build through the palate, every time you think it is done it just gives a little bit more. Concentrated, elegant, savoury and just so tasty. 3.4pH. Harvest September 8 to 22. 40% new oak.