2006 Clos des Jacobins

The finest wine made at this estate since 1982, this sleeper of the vintage possesses complex aromas of herbs, black currants, licorice, camphor, and hints of spicy oak as well as damp earth. It is a richly fruity, dense St.-Emilion with a plush texture, sweet tannins, and gorgeous length. Consume it over the next 10-12 years.

Very deep crimson. Meaty, quite evolved on the nose. Rich and round and satisfying. Sweet but lively – perhaps helped by the early-ripening nature of this terroir that enabled them to pick before the rains. Full, sweet and quite toasty on the nose. Direct very suave aromas – very well made. Hint of raisins and just the merest hint of Ribera del Duero! Very sumptuous start with rasping tannins hardly noticeable until the very end. Superior. And the vintage’s defects almost hidden. Tasted three times. (JR)

(85% merlot, 12% cabernet franc and 3% cabernet sauvignon; from vines picked very early) Good deep ruby-red. Cassis, blueberry, flowers and minerals on the nose and palate, complemented by toast and mocha from the oak. Sweet, firm and suave, with good grip and definition. A tight core of spice contributes intensity. The firm tannins are nicely enveloped by the wine's ripe fruit and minerality. With aeration, this showed more fleshiness and really spread out to coat the palate. This may well be the best wine yet made here under the direction of Hubert de Bouard, who began in 2001. The 2005 in comparison seemed greener, with a strong menthol element and slightly gritty tannins.