2005 Château Clos des Jacobins

Dark in color, almost black. Aromas of raisin, spices and blackberry follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and a long, powerful finish. Has loads of fruit and toasty oak. This is exciting. A new 1947?

Author: James Suckling

Good full ruby. Black raspberry, menthol and bitter chocolate on the nose, with hints of espresso and herbs. Nose dominated by primary fruits; offers good texture but comes across as a bit undifferentiated at this early stage. But there's more flesh here to support the tannins than I have found in recent vintages from this chateau. Wait until 2012.

Author: Stephen Tanzer

Issue: May/June 2006

Sweet rich dark fruit. Lots of spiced plums and just this side of raisiny. Then very good minerally fine texture - deep pile but fine tannins. Very classy with lovely savoury dark fruit in the middle. Long and still keeps its freshness. (JH)

Author: Julia Harding MW

Issue: 39784

This may be the finest wine I have ever tasted from Clos des Jacobins. Proprietor Bernard Decoster and consulting winemaker Hubert de Bouard have fashioned a magical blend of 75% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc as well as a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon. An opulent, flamboyant nose of incense, forest floor, creme de cassis, pain grille, cappuccino, and licorice is followed by a fleshy, opulent, heady, atypically showy St.-Emilion. Although there is plenty of sweet tannin, the wine's precociousness and flamboyant, even ostentatious style suggests it should be drunk over the next 12-15+ years.

Author: Robert Parker