2009 Clos des Jacobins

Dark crimson. Quite luscious with iodine notes on the palate. Very thick and sweet. But a little bitter on the end and overdone. Caricature – not refreshing. (JR)

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.