2020 Couvent des Jacobins Saint Emilion Grand Cru

2020 was an exceptional vintage that was awarded 98 points by Vinous Media, who said, “An exceptional vintage for Bordeaux, certainly the best in the 2018-2020 trilogy. Quality is exceptionally high among the great wines of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.”

Couvent des Jacobins is a vineyard steeped in nearly 700 years of history. Nestled atop one of Saint-Émilion’s highest points, this enchanting estate began as a Dominican monastery in 1389, offering refuge to pilgrims on the famed route of Saint Jacques de Compostelle. Over the centuries, it has transformed into a haven for wine lovers, carrying the soul of its past into every sip of its wines.

For nearly four centuries, Dominican friars cultivated these vines, crafting wines so exceptional that they graced the courts of England and France. Today, this legacy thrives under the stewardship of Xavier Jean, a fifth-generation guardian of this remarkable property. In 2020, the estate received its organic certification from ECOCERT France, a testament to its unwavering commitment to sustainable viticulture.

Walking through the Couvent des Jacobins is like stepping into a living museum. The underground cellars, carved from limestone over centuries. These caves, once used to extract stone for Bordeaux’s architecture, now hold the estate’s finest vintages.

Aging: 12 to 15 months in French oak barrels.

85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. A lush, full-bodied experience. Expect notes of ripe black fruit, hints of spice, and a whisper of oak, with a structure that promises to age beautifully for years. Crafted with zero added sulfites during fermentation, this wine reflects the purity and passion that defines the Couvent des Jacobins.

Dark chocolate, bark, dried flowers, cherries, walnuts, crushed stones and orange zest on the nose. Graphite, too. Textured, mineral and expansive with a full body and firm, chalky tannins. Broad yet focused. I like the cool freshness at the end. Best yet? From organically grown grapes.Try in 2026.  ~95 James Suckling

Composed of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Couvent des Jacobins has an alcohol level of 14.5% with a pH of 3.68. It is aging for an anticipated 12 to 15 months in French oak barrels, 45% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it strides confidently out of the glass with notions of baked blackberries, black cherry preserves and stewed plums, plus touches of damp soil, espresso and licorice with a waft of wild mushrooms. The medium to full-bodied palate is quite tightly wound with plenty of black fruit layers intertwined with mineral and exotic spice nuances, framed by grainy tannins and bags of freshness, finishing with a lively lift. Barrel Sample. ~94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

~94 The Wine Independent

This takes a severe tone for the opening beats, a little austere with tannins standing to attention, but there is a ton of flavour as it opens, with cocoa beans and cigar box, black pepper spice and a creamy cassis and raspberry fruit through the mid palate. A yield of 32hl/ha. Organic certified as of this vintage. ~92 Decanter

A meaty, beefy, spicy wine based on 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, the 2020 Couvent Des Jacobins offers up plenty of savory red and blue fruits to go with medium-bodied richness, good mid-palate density, building tannins, and rock-solid length on the finish. While it’s savory and slightly evolved aromatically, I love its purity and freshness on the palate, and my money is on this easily being an outstanding wine once bottled. ~92 Jeb Dunnuck

Dark ruby, purple reflections, soft brightening on the rim. Blackberries, black cherries, fine nuances of wood and spices, a touch of nougat. Medium body, some chocolate, ripe tannins, mineral, still seems a bit closed and underdeveloped, will benefit from bottle ageing. ~92 Falstaff

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