Clos des Jacobins - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2023

Vinous

89,5

byNeal Martinthe2/1/2026

The 2023 Clos des Jacobins has a light bouquet that needs to muster more vigour. Just a bit distant at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, dark berry fruit, well-balanced with fine acidity and a rounded, quite sensual, peppery finish. Hopefully, the aromatics will just gain a bit of vitality with bottle age.

Jamessuckling.com

96

byJames Sucklingthe1/27/2026

Aromas of tar, asphalt, thyme and dark fruit with a chalky, austere note. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with chalky tannins and a savory, saline core that’s long, refined and deeply attractive. So much precision and energy. 80% merlot, 18% cabernet franc and 2% cabernet sauvignon. Best ever from this estate. Drink or hold.

My Bettane + Desseauve

91

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/15/2024

Attaque veloutée, cœur de bouche sensuel et finale bien dessinée. Le vin est déjà bien formé.

The Drinks Business

92-94

byColin Haythe5/7/2024

Clos des Jacobins (Saint Émilion; 80% Merlot; 18% Cabernet Franc; 2% Cabernet Sauvignon; a final yield of 40 hl/ha; 15% alcohol; tasted twice, the second time at the Association des Grands Crus Classés at Dassault). A succulent and sumptuous nose of dark cherries, kirsch, dark chocolate ganache with maybe a hint of violet, peony too; there’s a fair bit of oak here, but it’s already well integrated. Plump and plush on the attack, with a lovely billowy feel to the soft and almost cuddly mid-palate. Opulent for the vintage, with a nice hint of the cedar that will come through with élévage and subsequent bottling aging. A success in the context of the vintage and a fine wine from Clos des Jacobins. 

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92

byJeff Levethe5/6/2024

Quite chocolatey, with an oaky edge that gives richness, as well as an espresso, dusty-edge to all of the sweet, dark red berries on the palate, and in the finish. Drink from 2026-2038. 91-93 Pts.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

92

byJane Ansonthe5/6/2024

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.

Vinous

90-92

byAntonio Gallonithe4/30/2024

The 2023 Clos des Jacobins is an attractive, giving Saint-Émilion. Succulent red cherry, plum, rose petal, licorice, spice and pipe tobacco take the lead. New oak is a bit present today, but this should come together with élevage. Tasted two times.

Vinous

91-93

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2024

The 2023 Clos des Jacobins has a very appealing bouquet with black cherries and boysenberry fruit, ample concentration and commendable delineation. Can the palate live up to the promise of the nose? It can. Quite structured on the palate, it comes dangerously close to an excess of new oak. But, there is sufficient fruit here to back it up. It will probably take a few years to fully meld together. This is a modern style of winemaking, but they just about pull it off.

Falstaff

93

byPeter Moserthe4/29/2024

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.

Alexandre Ma

90-92

byAlexandre Mathe4/28/2024

Jamessuckling.com

95-96

byJames Sucklingthe4/25/2024

Very classy and rather enticing, with blackberries, dark cherries, stones and a hint of chalk. Medium body with depth of fruit and a creamy tannin texture. Beauty. Better than 2022?