Attractive aromas of wild berries, pencil shavings, vine smoke, black truffle and violets introduce the 2019 Clos Fourtet, a medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless wine with a concentrated core of fruit, beautifully refined tannins and lively acids, concluding with a long, saline finish. Elegant and complete, this is a brilliant wine from this 19-hectare vineyard situated on the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, just outside the village, which has been on a qualitative roll since the 2001 vintage.

The 2019 Clos Fourtet has a beautifully defined bouquet of vivacious red berry fruit, wild hedgerow, cassis and crushed violets, intense at the moment, and yet I think this is going to close down. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, blackberry, a touch of tar, and a pinch of white pepper on a finish that fans out gloriously. A long-term prospect.

Lots of purple fruit with white pepper and crushed stones in the nose. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and poised with a very chalky and salty undertone to the purple fruit. Flavorful finish. Linear and long. Try after 2026.

Compared to the 2018, this vintage displays a cooler aspect to go with the ripe red and black fruit: more tobacco leaf than glycerine. Even if the alcohol and pH are similar, this vintage was aged in less new oak, and was the first to include some amphorae. The tannins are noticeable at this very early stage, even slightly more aggressive than those of the 2018. But when they settle down, the 2019 will overtake the 2018, at least because of slightly better balance. 3.6pH.

The 2019 Clos Fourtet is exotic and beguiling in the glass. Inky dark fruit, licorice, espresso, menthol and lavender all run through this sumptuous, beautifully resonant Saint-Émilion with bright mineral underpinnings that extend the finish effortlessly. A regal, exquisite wine, the 2019 has so much to offer. I can't wait to taste it in bottle. June 2020

The 2019 Clos Fourtet continues its strong run of form under the direction of Mathieu Cuvelier and his team. It sprints out of the blocks with intense blackberries, raspberry coulis, blood orange and crushed violet aromas, touches of iodine developing as it musters ever increasing delineation. The palate is medium-bodied but (as expected) contains more weight and girth compared to its peers. Firm grip, solid and yet graceful, there is a crescendo of flavours towards its heady, focused and very persistent finish. Wonderful salinity in the mouth, the aftertaste is one of the longest you will find on the Right Bank. Fabulous. June 2020

Tasted blind. Correct and classy but very reined-in. Taut finish and no opulence. But it grew in the glass. (JR)

90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc. Barrel sample. Ripe, full and broad with curranty, berry-fruit notes. Spike of freshness but the oak sits in at present leading to a slightly drying finish. Just a phase? (JL)