Clos des Jacobins 2023

Still clearly marked by the maturation, yet with depth and complexity: blackberry, menthol, cherry, mineral notes; full on the palate, very dense, compact, ripe tannins, long finish. Needs to age.

Sweet and agreeable plum and blackberry fruit, with a supple palate that comes across a touch jammy. I would give this Grand Cru Classé a higher score but for some slightly drying tannins on the finish, leaving the impression of high alcohol leaching some new oak aspects (it is ageing in 60% new oak). Let's see how it tastes from bottle, so a rather conservative score.

The 2023 Clos des Jacobins is quite the powerhouse. Swaths of tannin wrap around a core of intense dark-red-toned fruit, new leather, spice, tobacco, incense and chocolate. Fleshy and voluptuous in the glass, with tons of supporting structure, Clos des Jacobins has a lot to offer. This is beautifully done. Tasted two times.

Quite chocolatey, with espresso notes that glide along with all of the sweet, red pit fruits in the perfume. Round, fresh, and creamy on the palate, with ample sweet, red berries with a hint of mint, peppery spice, and a shot of espresso on the backend of the finish. Drink from 2027-2039.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening at the rim. Nougat, black forest berry fruit, a touch of cardamom and cloves, inviting bouquet. Deep, juicy, ripe plums, a hint of figs, ripe tannins, mineral finish, lingers well, shows length and certain ageing potential.

Refined aroma, red currant nectar, light tobacco and noble cassis spice. On the compact palate, with supporting freshness, a tight tannic framework and medium body. In the concentrated finish, blue berry skin, graphite and a floury astringency.

Inky plum colour, good En Primeur personality, with vivid fruits, inky plum colour, pretty high alcohol (they did some leaf stripping in September on one side because of humidity, then the hot days concentrated the Merlot grapes) but with supple texture, plenty of depth through the black fruits, espresso and cocoa bean layers. Enjoyable, with ageing potential.

Score: 92–94. Great power from the first aromas of very ripe, almost jammy red berries. The palate is fresher and more approachable. The fruit is still there, but juicier than intense, driven by energy. The tannins are starting to settle in, and the finish already makes you want to come back for more. A good sign!

So much freshness and detail in the bouquet of Clos des Jacobins. Cabernet Franc undeniably enhances the floral nuances, while inviting hints of blueberries round out the aromatic spectrum. Slightly creamy on the attack, the wine stands out for its elegant, linear character, while velvety tannins provide support through the finish. An elegant, flavorful and persistent wine that can already be enjoyed in its youth.

The nose is beautifully complex and precise, offering depth, a certain intensity and an infusion-like character. Quite ripe, deep fruit. It reveals notes of boysenberry, roasted-juicy wild strawberry and, more subtly, sour cherry, alongside hints of lily, a strong sense of place (local biotope), fine touches of star anise, camphor and graphite, as well as discreet accents of cubeb pepper, sweet spices and an almost imperceptible suggestion of black tea in the background. The palate is beautifully juicy, fruity and mineral, well-balanced and nicely drawn out, with a tangy, lively frame, accuracy, tension, good definition, generosity, straightness and depth. There is delicacy and pedigree within its power. On the palate, the wine shows notes of juicy/fleshy black cherry, fleshy blackcurrant and, more lightly, an infusion character, joined by touches of spice and pepper. The tannins are mouthwatering, generous, flavoursome, fresh and elegant. A nicely elongated finish. A subtle touch of pleasant bitterness on the finish.

Bright dark purple core and hue. Pure, chalky and floral aromas of violet, blackberry, cassis, black truffle, mild toast and oak-derived spiciness. Good density without being bold, coated with young and pure dark fruit, cassis and cherry notes with a good presence of chalk, grainy tannin, a vivid freshness underneath with a gentle hint of butterscotch leading to a very long and pure finish.

This is a textbook version of the slightly extracted style, offering a blanket of toasty oak that drapes over a solid core of black cherry and black currant preserves, plus a savory hint. Shows an alder echo on the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2031. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 5,800 cases made, 150 cases imported.

Slightly more subtle aromatics of ripe red and black fruits, tobacco leaf, cedary oak, and chocolate emerge from the 2023 Clos Des Jacobins, as well as some classic Saint-Emilion chalky minerality. Based on 80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 14 months in 60% new French oak, it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, ample mid-palate depth, and enough tannins to warrant 3-4 years of bottle age. It's pretty darn impressive and I suspect will have two decades of overall longevity. It might be the finest vintage of this cuvée I've tasted. Drink 2029-2045.

Logo on the cork: SNBG Dark color with purplish highlights. Intense, fruity nose. Hints of cocoa and truffle. More vanilla and spice as the wine is swirled in the glass. Delicate on entry, with flavor and a velvety body, the wine develops into a savory palate, with nuances of black fruit lingering on the finish. Soft tannins. Very good.