Clos Fourtet 2010

Very dark, lustrous crimson. Very interesting and intriguing nose with, already, many layers. Toast, orange peel, lustrous sheen, something akin to coconut milk (but not the cheap sheen of too-obvious American oak). Very winning and engaging. Breadth and length. Dry but not drying finish. Very vital on the finish - and long too.

There is a lot of sweet fruit on both nose and palate. The richness of the fruit gives depth of flavour on the palate a lovely mix of fruits. The tannins are firm but ripe not holding back fruit expression.

Outstanding effort. One of the best from this estate. Could be a great buy. Dense, round, perfumed fruit. Lovely texture and weight. Balancing freshness and long, persistent finish. Drink 2018-2040.

Although this superb 2010 is built differently, it is as impressive as the extravagant 2009 and the prodigious 2005. A blend of 85% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc made from yields of 31 hectoliters per hectare, with 14.5% natural alcohol, Stephane Derenoncourt is the consulting winemaker. One can not say enough about what proprietor Philippe Cuvelier has accomplished at Clos Fourtet over the last decade turning a perennial underachiever into one of the great wines of Bordeaux. Production from this 50-acre vineyard is nearly 4,000 cases. The inky/purple-hued 2010 displays a beautiful bouquet of incense, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, licorice and camphor. Full-bodied and opulent with more tannin and glycerin than the massive 2009, the 2010, while less sumptuous than the 2009, is a huge effort that is undoubtedly capable of lasting 30+ years.

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Clos Fourtet seems to be getting better and better in bottle. Here, it has a more restrained bouquet compared to its peers, blackcurrant, boysenberry and raspberry and plenty of minerals. It is very focused and poised with marine influences developing in the glass. The palate is well defined with fine tannins and acidity. Neatly composed, precise and almost showing immense freshness and clarity, this Clos Fourtet with one of Mathieu Cuvelier's finest vintages in recent years. Tasted January 2014.

Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. The Clos Fourtet has an intense, voluminous bouquet with dark plum, dried figs and sweet red berry fruit that beautifully encases the new oak. The palate is ripe, controlled and in my opinion, shows more control and precision than recent vintages...including the more opulent 2009. Yes, there is a sense of reserve to this 2010, but the terroir really shows through on the black truffle tinged finish. Superb. Tasted November 2012.

Deep purple in colour, the Clos Fourtet has a very opulent bouquet with lifted black fruits laced with liquorice and mint. The palate is full-bodied with a ripe, oaky entry, missing a little freshness at the moment though there is a pleasing linearity on the persistent finish. This will show much better in bottle. Tasted April 2011.