18 WEINWISSER: "Sattes, dunkles Purpur mit blutroten Reflexen. Direktes, feingliedriges und enorm konzentriertes Bouquet, Kirschentouch, Veilchen, viel Frische trotz des Reichtums. Im Gaumen satt, konzentriert, feiner Stoff, ausgeglichene Adstringenz, jetzt noch mehr ins Blaubeerige drehend, im Nachklang massive, aber doch reife Tannine zeigend, die es noch mit dem Ausbau und der Flaschenreife zu verdauen gilt, falls damit die «Stammhärte» verloren geht, liegt noch ein Punkt mehr drin."
94 WINESPECTATOR: "Features a lovely smoldering feel, with the currant and fig paste notes now melded seamlessly with apple wood and graphite details. Long and rich, this is starting to hint at a secondary phase, showing flashes of mulled spice, tobacco and tar. The structure has brightness and energy, but moves slowly to the background. Approachable now.—Blind '01/'03/'05 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2017). Drink now through 2035. 3,833 cases made. — JM"
94 WINE ENTHUSIAST: "A perfumed, sweet wine, immediately attractive. Behind this friendly exterior is a dark core of firm tannins, along with spice, blackberries, and new wood—not too much, just right. This chateau is firmly back on form."
17 JANCIS ROBINSON: "Meaty, sweet nose and lots of energy. Pretty new school but not exaggerated. Should make a satisfying mature whole, but it’s a bit harsh on the end now."
92 ANTONIO GALLONI: "Good deep red-ruby. Reduced nose offers redcurrant, plum, coffee and smoke. Sweet, lush and creamy on entry, then chewy and tactile if a bit closed in the middle, with suggestions of darker fruits and mocha. Impressively broad on the back, showing a serious wave of finishing fruit, but the tannins are a bit sullen today. Give this very lush, long wine at least seven or eight years of cellaring."
97 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Just a gorgeous wine. Layer after layer of licorice coated, black cherry, plum and truffle are all over the place, in the nose and on the palate. Silky, polished and lusciously textured, if you like young wines that are considering entering their drinking window before they reach the secondary stage, you can pop a cork. Else, wait about 5 years. Either way, this is a beauty."
99 JEB DUNNUCK: "Made from 85% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2005 Clos Fourtet is a powerhouse that does everything right and is borderline perfection in a glass. Awesome notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, graphite, tobacco, and scorched earth all flow to a full-bodied, thrilling concentrated, textured beauty that has sweet, sweet tannins, a deep, layered mid-palate, and a finish that won’t quit. I think it’s drinking perfectly today, but it has two more decades of prime drinking ahead of it. Don’t’ miss this stunning bottle of wine!"
98 THE WINEADVOCATE: "Dense ruby/purple, with notes of crushed rock, blueberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with some licorice and chocolate, this full-bodied, massive wine from proprietor Philippe Cuvelier coincides with the resurrection of this premier grand cru classé in St.-Emilion. As the wine sits in the glass, notes of espresso roast and chocolate emerge. This full-bodied classic should continue to drink well for another 25 years. This is a killer effort."
