Clos des Jacobins 2016

Rich in extract, wood-influenced, yet excellently crafted, true to its world-class wine style.

This offers plum and cherry fruit, lined with light floral and savory hints, all carried by fine chalky minerality that lingers on the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2021. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 3,949 cases made, 100 cases imported.

Aromatic nose of black fruits, molasses and smoky cedar. Rustic, with ripe fruit balanced by acidity and underlying minerality. Savoury with a liquorice tang. Graceful and complex on the finish.

Sweet vanilla and fragrant, perfumed red berries and flowers lead to a palate that has a rich and sturdy feel. This has the structure to really deliver in time. Beautifully structured, fresh and long palate here. Try from 2022.

The 2016 Clos des Jacobins is a big, rich wine with loads of dark fruit and an equally imposing structure. Dark cherry, mocha, plum, espresso, wild flowers and menthol all add character. This is a decidedly powerful, extracted style. The oak tannins have begun to integrate, but ideally readers will be able to give the 2016 at least a few years in bottle to allow the wine to show its best.

Spicy, earthy, smoky, espresso bean and licorice-infused cherry sensations are with you from start to finish here. The wine is polished, fresh and inviting, with a core of ripe, elegant, earthy red fruits on the palate and in the finish.

The 2016 Clos des Jacobins checks in as a blend of 80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Its deeper ruby, plum-tinged color is followed by a ripe, slightly rustic bouquet of savory black cherries, dried chocolate, some old fireplace, and graphite. Drink this medium-bodied, supple, nicely textured and balanced Saint Emilion any time over the coming 15+ years.

Dense purple with violet rim. Compact wild-berry bouquet, licorice and black mountain pepper, with dark noble woods in the background. Firm palate with plenty of cassis and blackberry blossom, very tightly knit tannic framework, slightly drying finish. Rounded off!

Kunz barrel sample 17: (80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon) Fresh, light bouquet, red berries, Fleischkäse, slate. Medium-bodied, silky palate with sweet, appealing aromatics, delicate fruit, fine tannins, refined structure, and a fresh finish.

Silky, mineral, fruity bouquet: cherries, slate, nougat, black currant, mint. Balanced, elegant palate with delicate fruit, good tannins, dense, well-muscled structure, dark aromatics, long, bitter finish. 17/20 2024 - 2038

The 2016 Clos des Jacobins is deep garnet colored. It needs a little coaxing to reveal notes of tilled soil, crushed rocks, and cigar box over a core of stewed plums and blackberry pie, plus a hint of truffle. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers chewy tannins and plenty of freshness to support the rich black fruits, finishing earthy.

Oaky with fine fruit, well-balanced, creamy sap, very delicate tannins, bright and refined.

Smoky, toasty nose with notes of toasted bread and dark fruits. Sappy palate, broad tannins, beautiful structure, with a touch of bitterness on the finish.

Dark, intense, beautiful, and vibrant color. Very aromatic nose with ripe, finely creamy fruit. Delicate on the attack and subtly pulpy, the wine progresses tender, supple, and juicy before finishing finely structured and long. It’s very good.