Clos des Jacobins 2014

The 2014 Clos des Jacobins has a rather disjointed bouquet compared to its peers, with strong peat-like undergrowth aromas that obstruct the black and red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, blackcurrant pastilles mixed with licorice and sea salt. It is trying to juggle too many things at once to impress, a Saint-Emilion that, if simpler, would have worked better. Plus, it falls away too quickly on the finish.

Lovely sweet berries and hints of tobacco on the nose follow through to a full body, firm and silky tannins and a polished, austere, textured finish. Needs a year or two to soften. Better in 2020.

Medium-bodied, soft and sweet with dark red fruit and chocolate character, this wine has a forward personality. 88-90 Pts

Deep purple, dense at the core, with a garnet sheen at the rim. Modern, toasty bouquet, showing perfumed notes and cooked damassine plums; the sweetness on the nose is almost overwhelming. On the palate it continues cheerfully and candy-like, and on top of that the underlying aromatics blend with nuances of coconut milk. The ultra-modern style has made its mark here, without meaning the wine should be judged poorly. The whole adds up well—cellar-wise. I’m curious to see whether other wine critics will fall into the trap.

Deep purple, dense at the core, with garnet glints at the rim. A modern, toasty bouquet, perfumed, showing cooked damson plums, the sweetness almost overpowering on the nose. On the palate it carries on cheerfully with candy-like notes, and on top of that the underlying aromatics also blend with hints of coconut milk. The ultramodern style has made its mark here, though one shouldn’t dismiss the wine for it. The overall package works — from the cellar side. I’m curious to see whether other wine critics will fall into the trap.

(80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon) Spicy, fresh, powerful bouquet; blueberries, blackcurrant, coffee beans, dark chocolate. Powerful, dense palate with a velvety texture, good fruit, plenty of fine tannins, powerful finish with good afterflavours. Can still improve. 17/20 2021 - 2034

The 2014 Clos des Jacobins is medium to deep garnet-brick in color. Notes of dried flowers and unsmoked cigars give way to a core of dried plums and fruitcake with a touch of dusty soil. The medium-bodied palate is earthy, with appealing freshness and powdery tannins, finishing with a spicy lift.

We were won over by this wine’s aromatic freshness, with vibrant, well-preserved fruit and a tight texture that is nonetheless finely smoothed.

Garnet red. An intense, complex bouquet that perfectly combines fruit and spices. Lovely notes of raspberry, blackcurrant and prunes. The attack is charming and dense. The palate is perfectly balanced, creamy, and endowed with elegant tannins that slowly reveal themselves on the finish. The acidity provides firm support to the fruit all the way through the finish. An elegant wine that can certainly be enjoyed in its youth, yet whose ageing potential should not be underestimated. All the necessary elements are present.

Purple color, intense and beautiful. Fruity nose, ripe and vanilla-toned. Lovely soft entry on the palate, then the wine unfolds flavorful and full for the vintage. Only the finish is a touch tannic, but the length is good.