2009 Clos des Jacobins Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

The blend for the 2009 is mostly Merlot, with some Cabernet Franc, but hit over 14.5% natural alcohol. This is a big, chewy wine made under the guidance of Hubert de Bouard. Dense ruby/purple, with notes of blackberry and cassis as well as some hints of barbecue smoke, underbrush and toasty oak, this thick, dense and unctuously textured, low-acid wine is a sleeper of the vintage and the best Clos des Jacobins since the famous 1982. Drink it over the next 20-25 years. From the sector of St.-Emilion just before the entrance to the village near La Gomerie, Clos des Jacobins, long-owned by the Cordier family, sits on heavy sands above deep limestone.

The blend for the 2009 is mostly Merlot, with some Cabernet Franc, but hit over 14.5% natural alcohol. This is a big, chewy wine made under the guidance of Hubert de Bouard. Dense ruby/purple, with notes of blackberry and cassis as well as some hints of barbecue smoke, underbrush and toasty oak, this thick, dense and unctuously textured, low-acid wine is a sleeper of the vintage and the best Clos des Jacobins since the famous 1982. Drink it over the next 20-25 years.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #199, Feb 2012)

(75% merlot, 23% cabernet franc and 2% cabernet sauvignon) Ruby-purple. The cabernet franc really sings on the nose, which shows aromas of redcurrant, cocoa, spicy white pepper and flowers. Then tighter on the palate, even a bit rigid, with a chalky quality to the red berry and black cherry flavors. Picks up flesh and volume with air, and shows sneaky concentration and ripeness. The smooth finish shows a trace of heat.

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. This has a well-defined bouquet of blackberry, boysenberry and crushed stone that demonstrates fine lift. The palate is medium-bodied with dusty black fruit, a soft texture and a black peppery finish. It just seems more winemaking than wine. Tasted January 2013.

– eRobertParker.com, July 2013