• "Simply Delicious. Easy to Enjoy." ~96 JS
• "Bold, Juicy and Quite Expressive."~93 VM
• "Beautifully Refined Structuring Tannins." ~92-94 WA
• 95–98 Vintage ~WS

About the Wine

This is a BHW Direct Import/Ex-Chateau item. This is a futures item that is expected to deliver during 2025. 

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Born from one of Saint-Émilion’s most exclusive plots, Calicem is the prestige cuvée of Couvent des Jacobins, a historic Grand Cru Classé estate dating back to the 14th century. Sourced from a tiny 0.7-hectare vineyard, this 100% Merlot wine comes from some of the estate’s oldest vines, planted over 60 years ago. The vineyard’s unique location on the southwest slope of Saint-Émilion ensures exceptional sun exposure, while its pure limestone soils give the wine its signature tension, minerality, and depth.

Meticulously crafted, Calicem is vinified in upright barrels, a labor-intensive method that allows for precise extraction and an incredibly refined tannin profile. The wine is then aged in 500-liter French oak barrels, which enhances its complexity while preserving the purity of its fruit. The 2022 vintage was marked by intense heat and drought, yet the estate’s commitment to biodynamic practices ensured balance and freshness in the final wine.

The result is a luxurious and opulent expression of Saint-Émilion, with layers of dark fruit, chocolate, exotic spice, and floral notes, all wrapped in a velvety texture. James Suckling (95-96) describes it as “rich and opulent,” while The Wine Independent (94) highlights its “seamless acidity” and “long, fragrant finish.” With its bold yet finessed profile, Calicem is a rare gem that embodies both the power and elegance of Right Bank Bordeaux.

Aging: 18 to 24 months in French oak barrels.

Tasting Notes

The 2022 Calicem presents a deep garnet-purple hue. On the nose, it offers aromas of plum preserves, juicy blueberries, and kirsch, complemented by hints of Indian spices and unsmoked cigars. The medium to full-bodied palate is plush and velvety, with seamless acidity supporting the generous fruit, leading to a long, fragrant finish. This wine is crafted exclusively from 100% Merlot sourced from a small 0.7-hectare plot of old vines planted in 1961.

Critical Reviews

The 2022 Calicem is made from 100% Merlot from a tiny plot of 0.7 hectare. Deep garnet-purple in color, it waltzes out with carefree notes of plum preserves, juicy blueberries, and kirsch, followed by suggestions of Indian spices and unsmoked cigars. The medium to full-bodied palate is so, so plush, with seamless acidity supporting the generous fruit, finishing long and fragrant. ~94 The Wine Independent

The 2022 Calicem is bold, juicy and quite expressive. Even with all of its intensity, the Calicem impresses with its energy and vibrancy. Blood orange, spice, menthol and rose petal unfurl in the glass, showing terrific brightness and nuance. The 2022 boasts very fine persistence without any excess weight. ~93 Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Aromas of sweet cherries, wild berries, crushed mint, licorice, and loamy soil introduce the 2022 Calicem, a medium to full-bodied, velvety, and suave wine with a lively core of fruit and beautifully refined structuring tannins. ~92-94 Wine Advocate