Clos des Jacobins Saint-Émilion 2018 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

This 8.5-hectare cru, now owned by Bernard Decoster's family, grew steadily throughout the decade, reaching a level never seen before. La Commanderie, another family cru, is a softer, more immediately appealing wine. These hillside wines need time to assert their finesse.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

After several experiences in the Bordeaux vineyards, Thibaut and Magali Decoster settled in 2004 at the head of two Saint-Emilion crus: Clos des Jacobin, 8.5 ha on clay-limestone at the foot of the slope, classified since 1955, and Ch. la Commanderie, 6 ha at the top of a gravelly hilltop, classified since 2012. In 2017, they took over the operations of Ch. Candale and Roc de Candale (8 ha on clay-limestone), and opened a restaurant and boutique, combining their two passions: vineyards and the art of living.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

Long owned by the Cordier family, Clos des Jacobins passed into the hands of former perfumer Marionnaud in 2001, then into the hands of the Decoster family (heirs to the Legrand electrical group) in 2004. After a turbulent start to the new millennium, this historic brand from Saint-Émilion's "Côte Ouest" has found real stability under the committed leadership of Thibaut and Magali Decoster, asserting its style with serene, richly fruity and expressive wines. Accompanied by Hubert de Boüard, the estate's consultant, this positive trend should continue, reflecting the agronomic improvements gradually made to the vineyard's management. Also owners of Château La Commanderie, in the Ripeau sector, the Decoster family acquired Château Candale (February 2017), east of Saint-Émilion, whose restaurant now serves as a showcase for the production of the three properties.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

If this wine is rich, it also has style and delicious potential. Blackberry and hints of wood aging show it's still young. These elements will combine well as the wine ages, resulting in a ripe, fruit-filled Merlot ready to drink from 2025.

Vinous A. Galloni

About the wine:

Clos des Jacobins 2018 is absolutely magnificent. Soft, supple and beautifully textured, this 2018 displays an elegant personality with real aplomb. Succulent notes of black cherry, mocha, espresso, spice and gravel meld into this creamy, truly enjoyable Saint-Émilion today. A kiss of well-judged French oak lingers on the long finish. 2026 - 2038

James Suckling

About the wine:

Blackcurrant, spiced cherries, cloves, dried flowers and bark on the nose. Full-bodied with firm, powdery tannins. Creamy with concentrated spice notes. Best from 2024.

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

Clos des Jacobins presents ripe fruit and lovely freshness. Crisp, sapid palate, "al dente" fruit, lovely tone, precise tannins, pleasant tension. This is a fresh, amiable wine, with a certain greediness, well in the spirit of the vintage.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Subtlety and complexity on the nose, with hints of licorice, blackcurrant and cinnamon. On the palate, finesse is the common thread; the tannins are fine, perfectly integrated and somewhat tight. They lend fullness and are matched by the liveliness of the acid structure. The fruit also reveals itself delicately, reaching its fullness on the finish. Persistent finish. A great success. 2025-2042

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is elegant, offering racy power, intensity, depth and concentration. There are notes of juicy/pulpy blackberry, juicy raspberry and, more lightly, small berries, combined with touches of bright/charnet plum, violet/lys, wild blackcurrant, wild black berries, as well as fine hints of caramelization, toastiness, a very discreet hint of tobacco, hazelnut and vanilla. The palate is nicely defined, fresh, racy, harmonious, greedy, precise and offers lovely power, fine uprightness, fullness and fleshy/pulpy fruit. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy/juicy blackberry, pulpy/juicy plum and, more slightly, 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/toastiness. Good length and persistence. Well-developed, racy, structuring tannins. A very discreet hint of saltiness on the finish/persistence.