Checking in as a blend of 86% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2017 Chateau Clos Fourtet comes all from the upper limestone plateau and spent 18 months in 60% new French oak. This deep ruby/purple-hued effort offers a rocking perfume of ripe black raspberries, cassis, crushed stone, chocolate, and flowery incense. Powerful, full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, it's beautifully done, has ripe, present tannins, and a great finish. It ranks with the gems in this solid vintage and will benefit from just short-term cellaring and cruise for 20-25 years or more in cold cellars.

(94-96) For a magnificent opening there is a crushed rock nature, followed by a mixed bouquet of flowers, licorice and red berries. With a lovely dense color, this is grand and ornate yet bright and zippy, the fruit flows along perfectly from the attack to the finish. The wine was made from blending 86% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, reaching 14% alcohol.

Clos Fourtet 2017 is a blend of 86% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. There was frost at the bottom of the vineyard that year but all the vines and wines that were frosted were kept separate. It was also a very dry vintage. The resulting wine is deep garnet-purple in color and it rolls out of the glass with up-front scents of blackberry preserves, chocolate-covered cherries, and Chinese five spice plus suggestions of potpourri, camphor, and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-filling black fruits with a firm frame of finely grained tannins and great tension, finishing long and minerally.

This dark, smoky wine comes from a vineyard close to the walls of Saint-Emilion. The smokiness goes with the impressive core of dry tannins and concentrated structure that supports the rich blackberry flavors. The wine is going to age well; drink from 2024. - ROGER VOSS

Very pure, with clearly defined plum, blackberry and black cherry preserve flavors gliding through, gently infused with anise and black tea details along the way. The fruit is so seductive you might miss the sneaky, graphite-edged grip that builds through the finish, promising solid cellaring potential. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2038. — JM

This has a level of composure and energetic fruit on the palate that sets it above the rest in 2017. The nose has fresh blue fruit and hints of graphite and slate. The palate is succulent and juicy, right through to the very long finish. Drink or hold.

Still young, austere on the opening, with gorgeous freshness, violet flowers and edges of creamy grilled caramel. The acidity comes in waves, and the tight tannins suggest this has a long life but needs a few more years to really open up and let the red fruits out. This was a frost year, with Clos Fourtet suffering a 20% loss, and the areas that were untouched were pretty much pure limestone, which explains both the austerity, and the stunning mouthwatering finish. 32hl/h yield. 60% new oak. Stephane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consultants, delivering one of the wines of the vintage in St Emilion.

(93 points) Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Clos Fourtet is profoundly scented of baked blackberries, plum preserves, mulberries and kirsch with hints of cedar chest, iron ore and tapenade plus a waft of smoked meats. Medium-bodied, the palate is laden with earthy/savory nuances, supported by finely grained tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long and earthy. The blend is 90% Merlot,7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Franc. It was aged for 16 months in french oak barrels, 60% new.- LPB

While lacking aromatic intensity, the palate exudes breadth and density. One encounters some palate steeliness akin to the 2011 vintage and 2006 ripe fruit warmth, but both in lesser measure. A somewhat boring vintage, but with concentration. Perhaps it's in a closed phase? Conservative score. 3.6pH.