Clos des Jacobins 2018

Noticeable but not overdone oak spice, then forest berries; compact on the attack, perceptible ripeness, powerful, juicy tannins, spicy finish.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Clos des Jacobins needs a little swirling to unlock notions of blackberry pie, black raspberries and mulberries with hints of wild sage, cast-iron pan and charcoal plus a waft of tobacco leaf. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers bags of herb infused black fruits, with an approachable, grainy texture and fantastic freshness, finishing long and earthy.

Smooth, rich and mouthfilling, with a flash of heat through the finish but balanced by a juicy ripe fruit character with a ton of brambled blackberry and blueberry, and rich black cherry coulis. This is broad-shouldered, but it carries it off. A yield of 45hl/ha, 75% new oak.

The 2018 Clos des Jacobins has a well-defined, quite complex bouquet featuring strong sous-bois/tree bark scents percolating through the black fruit. It feels a little withdrawn, but I am still drawn to it. The palate is well balanced with grainy tannins and a little oaky in style, leading to a powdery-textured, rather austere finish. Quite old-school in some ways. It has character but I would have just liked more fruit overall.

Espresso, smoke, plums, licorice and black cherries are easy to find on the nose and palate. The wine is lushly textured, opulent and fresh, with a pleasing sweetness to all the plums and cherries that carry through the finish. This is really coming along nicely and will be even better with some age.

Dark ruby, deep core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Tobacco and fine herbal savouriness on the nose, blackberry conserve with nougat and candied orange zest in the background. Powerful, taut, ripe cherry and plum, integrated tannins, chocolate, fig and some minerality on the finish. Needs further bottle ageing.

The 2018 Clos Des Jacobins is another ripe, concentrated, sexy wine in the vintage. Notes of smoked black fruits, tobacco, chocolate, and scorched earth all emerge from the glass, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a rich, mouthfilling texture, ripe tannins, and a good finish. Everything is in the right place, I like its balance, and it should keep for a good decade. I'd give bottles a few years in the cellar to integrate some of its oak, which emerges more with time in the glass.

Purple with a ruby rim. Compact bouquet of forest berries, backed by blackcurrant drops and licorice. On the dense palate, a soft texture, gorgeous extract sweetness and a well-trained body, supported by a structuring tannic frame. In the focused finish, the St.-Émilion slims down and ends in a medium finish with dark fine wood, wild cherry and delicate astringency. Boldly executed, and the good barrel sample result is confirmed!

Kunz barrel sample 19: Velvety, finely opulent, powerful bouquet with cherry compote, smoke, licorice, green herbs. A firm, dense, aromatic palate with velvety, sweet fruit, fine-grained tannins, broad structure, sweet aromatics, and a long, concentrated finish. Has room to improve.

Sweet, fruity, velvety bouquet, cassis, strawberries, mint, licorice, chocolate. Dense, velvety, fruity palate with good fruit, plenty of fine tannins, powerful aromatics, muscular structure, long, bitter finish. Can improve further. 17/20 2025 - 2042

Clos des Jacobins 2018 is deep garnet-purple in color. It offers fresh blackberries and black raspberries, with touches of tilled soil, bay leaves, and pencil lead. Medium-bodied, the palate is firm and chewy, with well-sustained savory flavors coming through on the finish.

Cocoa notes mark a slightly assertive oak, acceptable at this stage of ageing, with the fruit then rising above it. Subtle hints of almond and fresh grape emerge over a deep concentration. The savory, appetizing bitterness on the finish reassures us about the wine’s freshness. The licorice-tinged finale and the wine’s fine temperament confirm our sense that a warm vintage suits this cru.

The nose is elegant and reveals racy power, intensity, depth and concentration. It shows notes of juicy/fleshy blackberry, juicy raspberry and, more subtly, small berries, along with touches of bright/fleshy damson plum, violet/lily, wild blackcurrant and small wild black fruits, as well as fine hints of caramelization, toast, a very discreet hint of tobacco, hazelnut and vanilla. The palate is beautifully defined, fresh, racy, harmonious, indulgent and precise, offering lovely power, fine linearity, breadth and fleshy/juicy fruit. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy/juicy blackberry, pulpy/juicy plum and, more subtly, fleshy raspberry, combined with small touches of crushed red berries, lily, violet, bright black plum, as well as fine hints of chocolate, caramelization and a very discreet hint of hazelnut/toast. Good length and good persistence. The tannins are well handled, racy and structuring. A very discreet saline note on the finish/persistence.

Logo on the capsule: SNBG

While this wine is rich, it also has style and delicious potential. Blackberry fruits and touches of wood aging show it is still young. These will work together well as the wine matures and give a ripe wine full of Merlot fruits that's ready to drink from 2025.