Clos Fourtet, previously Château Clos Fourtet, is a Bordeaux wine from the appellation Saint-Émilion, ranked Premier grand cru classé B in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine. The Clos Fourtet winery is located in the Right Bank of France's Bordeaux wine region in the commune of Saint-Émilion, in the department Gironde.

History

For centuries, the ancient ‘Camp Fortet’ (small fort) with its modest profile has overlooked the historic town of Saint-Émilion, peacefully surveying it in times of prosperity, protecting it in times of war. The 20-hectare vineyard forms a single plot, planted upon the highest slopes of Western Saint-Émilion. Constructed from the very rock upon which it stands, the chateau and its surrounding wall (hence ‘clos’) are intimate and unassuming. Ever since the beginning of the classification in 1956, Clos Fourtet has been a member of the elite ‘Premiers Grands Crus Classés’ of Saint-Émilion.

Vineyards

The 20 hectare right bank vineyard of Clos Fourtet is planted to 85% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon. The vineyard and chateau are situated only a stones throw from the village of Saint Emilion, right on top of the limestone plateau. The terroir is limestone and clay soils. Their best vines are on peak of the limestone plateau, close to the chateau. The vines are on average 30 years of age. The average vine age is young here, as much of the vineyard was replanted in 1991. As the vines continue aging, you can expect an increase in the quality of the wines here. 

Wines

The wines of Clos Fourtet, Premier Grand Cru Classé, embody the finest of Saint-Émilion. Smooth, intriguing and seductive, their pure natural aromas are delicately woven together in a charming display of the unparalleled potential of our terroir. Our wines mark the culmination of all of our efforts, unveiling themselves as time passes - alive, developing and maturing. Clos Fourtet produces 5,000 cases of the Grand vin Clos Fourtet anually. They also have a second wine, called Closerie de Fourtet with an annual production of 2,500 cases.