| Fourtet 2004 • September 2005 | FOURTET
1er Grand Cru Classé
2004 Vintage
Geographical situation :
On the limestone-clay plateau opposite the Collegiate church of Saint Emilion.
Surface area :
20 hectares (49.4 acres), of which 18.7 hectares (46.18 acres) are in production.
Density of plantation :
6,000 plants per hectare
Grape varieties :
- 85 % Merlot
- 10 % Cabernet Sauvignon
- 5 % Cabernet Franc
Average age of the vines :
25 years
Vineyard management :
Clos Fourtet practises sustainable viticulture methods for its vineyard. Grass is seeded between the rows, while the soil directly between the vine plants is ploughed.
The vines are pruned with two long canes, which are later de-budded to the required number of buds. They are de-leafed on the east/north side at the end of June, and on the west/south side at the end of August. This all results in evenly spread out grapes which are well ventilated for good ripening..
2004 vintage :
The picking began on October 4 and ended with the Cabernet Sauvignon on October 19. This long, drawn-out harvest was punctuated with breaks to allow each plot to finish its ripening process and to enable the picking to take place without rain.
Our harvest reception system, with three sortings (one on the vines, then another before and after de-stemming on a vibrating table) enabled us during this late-ripening vintage to bring in only healthy, very ripe grapes.
Tasting :
This late-ripening vintage has produced a powerful, deep-coloured wine, which displays great freshness and fruit finesse. This is one of Saint Emilion’s great classics.
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