Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Clos Fourtet
Label Name:
 
St Emilion Gcc
Vintage:
 
2018
Country:
 
France
Region:
 
Saint-Émilion (Bordeaux)
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14.5%
Grape(s):
 
Merlot (90%), Cabernet Sauvignon (7%), Cabernet Franc (3%)
Method:
 
Fermented with whole berries in small stainless-steel vats, extended maceration and pigeage; malolactic in vats/barrels; aged ~14–18 months in French oak (≈50–60% new).
Acidity:
 
4
Tannins:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
5
Length:
 
5
Aroma Intensity:
 
5
Best Temperature:
 
16-18
Tasting Note:
 
Dense black cherry, plum and blackberry with graphite, tobacco, clove and limestone minerality; velvety ripe tannins, bright acidity and an epic, perfumed long finish.
Food Pairing:
 
Western: roast lamb, braised beef short ribs, duck confit, mushroom risotto. Asian: Peking (Cantonese) roast duck, soy-braised beef, char siu, Korean BBQ short ribs.
Vineyard Info:
 
Clos Fourtet (20 ha), Premier Grand Cru Classé (B); owned by the Cuvelier family since 2001; vineyards on clay–limestone; Stéphane Derenoncourt (consultant).
Awards/Ratings:
 
Highly rated on release and by major critics — Wine Advocate 95–97 / Lisa Perrotti-Brown 97; Jeb Dunnuck 97; Decanter 97; James Suckling 96–97; Vinous 94–97. Released en primeur May 2019