Château Clos Fourtet 2014 is an elegant and refined red wine from Saint-Émilion, produced from a 20-hectare vineyard on the limestone plateau just outside the village. It displays a deep ruby color with a perfumed bouquet of black cherry, raspberry, and blackberry, accented by mineral notes, crushed rocks, and subtle oak-derived hints of spice and graphite. The palate is medium-bodied, offering supple red cherry and cranberry fruit, fine but firm tannins, and a vibrant acidity that lends freshness and tension. This vintage is more restrained than richer years like 2015, showcasing a precise, mineral-driven finish with excellent balance and sophistication. The wine reflects the estate’s limestone and clay terroir, enhanced by traditional vinification and modern techniques under the Cuvelier family’s ownership.
Food Pairings
Château Clos Fourtet 2014 pairs well with refined dishes that complement its elegant structure and fruit profile. Ideal matches include roasted lamb, beef tenderloin, or duck breast with berry or herb sauces to echo its fruit and spice notes. Game meats like venison or pheasant also work beautifully. For vegetarian options, try grilled mushrooms, eggplant, or a wild mushroom tart to highlight the wine’s earthy minerality. Soft cheeses like Brie or aged Comté pair nicely, balancing the wine’s acidity and tannins. Avoid overly spicy or sweet dishes to preserve the wine’s delicate flavors.
Critics’ Reviews
- Wine Spectator: “A sleek, lean cat, with distilled currant and raspberry fruit that races from start to finish, maintaining tension throughout thanks to a riveting chalky spine. A light floral hint hangs in the background. Should develop into a perfumy beauty with time. Best from 2022 through 2035.” (95/100)
- Robert Parker (Wine Advocate): “The 2014 Clos Fourtet has developed a very perfumed bouquet with pure black cherry, raspberry and mineral aromas that seem very precise and relatively sophisticated compared to its Saint Emilion peers. The palate is medium-bodied with supple red cherry and cranberry fruit, the tannins both fine but firm. This is a supremely well-focused Clos Fourtet… a superb Clos Fourtet that transcends the promise from barrel.” (94/100).
- Vinous (Antonio Galloni): “The 2014 Clos Fourtet seems restrained at first blush… The palate is medium-bodied with supple red cherry and cranberry fruit, the tannins both fine but firm. This is a supremely well-focused Clos Fourtet, perhaps one that shows more restraint than previous vintages, yet there is genuine focus and intensity towards the almost piercing finish with vivid black, mineral-soaked fruit.” (94/100).
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James Suckling: “This shows wonderful cool fruits with a deep palate and velvety tannins. Really pretty. Tight and full of potential.” (93/100).
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CellarTracker Community: Average of 91.8 points from 41 reviews, with notes praising its primary black currant, blackberry, and piercing minerality, though some suggest it’s still young and benefits from decanting.
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General Notes: Critics highlight the 2014’s elegance, balance, and limestone-driven minerality, noting it as one of the top wines of the vintage in Saint-Émilion, with a more restrained style than the opulent 2015 or 2016
Drink Window
- The 2014 Château Clos Fourtet is recommended for drinking from 2022 to 2035, with its peak likely between 2025 and 2032. It benefits from additional bottle age to integrate its tannins and fully express its mineral and fruit complexity. Critics suggest it will age gracefully for 15–20 years under proper storage conditions, with some estimates extending to 2045 for well-stored bottles.
Additional Notes
- Vineyard and Winemaking: The 20-hectare vineyard, located on the limestone plateau near Saint-Émilion village, features clay-limestone soils that impart minerality. The wine is vinified traditionally in temperature-controlled vats and aged for 14–18 months in 60–70% new French oak barrels in underground limestone cellars, enhancing its structure and complexity. Yields were around 38–40 hl/ha.
- Vintage Context: The 2014 vintage in Saint-Émilion was solid, producing elegant wines with good acidity and structure, though less opulent than 2015 or 2016. Clos Fourtet excelled, showcasing the estate’s ability to craft precise, terroir-driven wines.
- Estate Background: Owned by the Cuvelier family since 2001, Clos Fourtet has undergone modernization under Philippe Cuvelier and consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt, elevating its status among Saint-Émilion’s top estates. The vineyard’s history dates to the Middle Ages, originally a defensive fort called Camfourtet.
- Investment Potential: As a Premier Grand Cru Classé B with strong critic scores (93–95/100), the 2014 Clos Fourtet offers good value and aging potential, appealing to collectors and investors.
