2020 Jean Faure
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Tasting notes
Certified organic. 65% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 5% Malbec. Bright crimson hue. Cassis notes with a light edge of toasted oak. Hint of mint as well. Rich and ripe on the palate. Plentiful tannins behind but cushioned by the fruit. Well structured with a firmness to the finish. Worth waiting. (JL)
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
A particular success for this Cabernet Franc-dominant estate situated next to Cheval Blanc, the 2020 Jean Faure bursts with aromas of cherries, minty blackberries, rose petals and cardamom. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and seamless, it's supple and suave, its enveloping core of vibrant fruit concealing sweet, powdery tannins, concluding with an expansive, perfumed finish. This beautiful wine stands out for its perfume and its ultra-refined texture.
Mostly Cabernet Franc with 35% Merlot and 5% Malbec, the 2020 Château Jean Faure is a gorgeous, seriously good Saint-Emilion delivering ample red, blue, and black fruits as well as exotic floral, violet, and chocolate-like nuances. Medium to full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, it has the vintage's pure, focused, structured profile, is impeccably balanced, and has a great finish. This beautiful, complex, impressive 2020 deserves 4-5 years of bottle age and will evolve for 15-20 years if well stored.
With around two-thirds Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Jean Faure delivers quite a refined bouquet with touches of bell pepper infusing the black fruit. Like a little brother of Lafleur? The palate is well balanced with distinctive peppery notes, moderate depth, very fresh with a delineated, saline finish. Very distinctive and once you have adjusted your palate to the presence of Cabernet Franc, it grows on you.