Learn everything about Clos des Jacobins St. Emilion with wine tasting notes and with wine and food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, the history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles
Clos des Jacobins History, Overview
Clos des Jacobins, which takes its name from an order of Benedictine Monks baptized as Jacobins, for Saint-Jacques, the patron saint of the Parisian convent. The vineyard can date its creation back to the 1700s.
However, the modern era begins when it was purchased in 1964 by Jean Georges Cordier. Cordier is a member of the well-known negociant family that is best associated with owning Chateau Gruaud Larose and Chateau Talbot in St. Julien.
The Decoster family purchased Clos des Jacobins in 2004 from Gerald Frydman. In part, they were inspired to buy the estate due to the success their relatives, Florence Decoster and Dominique Decoster were having at Chateau Fleur Cardinale, which is also located in the Saint Emilion appellation.
Clos des Jacobins Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking
The 8.5 hectare of Clos des Jacobins is planted to 80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard of Clos des Jacobins consists of 2 distinct parcels of vines.
The chateau and the main section of the vineyard are located not far from the village of St. Emilion. You see it on the right as you drive into the village. However, they also have a small parcel of vines not too far from Chateau Angelus.
The vineyards of Clos des Jacobins have a terroir of clay, sand, and limestone soil. The vineyard is planted to a vine density that ranges from 6,500 vines per hectare to 8,500 vines per hectare. The higher levels of density are for the new plantings. On average, the vines are maintained at 30 years of age. But Clos des Jacobins has old vines that are close to 85 years of age. Those old vines are located quite close to Chateau Grand Mayne.
To produce the wine of Clos des Jacobins, vinification takes place in truncated French oak tanks. Malolactic fermentation occurs in barrels.
The wine is aged in an average of 75% new, French oak barrels for 18 months. Clos des Jacobins are managed by Thibaut Decoster and Magali Decoster who also own and manage other Bordeaux vineyards in Saint Emilion, Chateau La Commanderie, and Chateau de Candale.
If the Decoster name sounds familiar, you are right. They are indeed related to the Dominique Decoster and Florence Decoster of Chateau Fleur Cardinale.
Clos des Jacobins hired Hubert de Bouard of Chateau Angelus to consult in their winemaking as well as in their vineyard management in 2001.
In fact, Clos des Jacobins was the first Right Bank client to hire de Bouard as a consultant. With Hubert de Bouard’s help and a lot of continuing effort in the Clos des Jacobins vineyards, things look to be turning around and improving for this chateau. In fact, recent vintages, 2018, 2019, and 2020 are the best in the history of the chateau.
With their new, spare no expense attitude, optical sorting machines are now being used at both their St. Emilion estates, Clos des Jacobins and Chateau La Commanderie. The Decosters also recently added a new cold room at Clos des Jacobins that will help lower the temperature of the grapes for the cold pre-fermentation maceration performed at the property.
The best vintages of Clos des Jacobins are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2010, 2009, 2006 2005 and 2001.
The production is close to 3,250 cases of Clos des Jacobins wine per vintage. There is a second wine, Prieur des Jacobins.
When to Drink Clos des Jacobins, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time
Clos des Jacobins are better with 3-4 years in the cellar before starting to show its best. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. Clos des Jacobins is best enjoyed in the first 3-15 years of life.
Young vintages can be decanted for about 1 hour or so. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.
Serving Clos des Jacobins with Wine and Food Pairings
Clos des Jacobins wines are best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.
Clos des Jacobins wines are best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Clos des Jacobins are also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, pasta and cheese.
Clos des Jacobins Wine Tasting Notes
19 Vintages 99,057 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating
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2023
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Quite chocolatey, with an oaky edge that gives richness, as well as an espresso, dusty-edge to all of the sweet, dark red berries on the palate, and in the finish. Drink from 2026-2038. 91-93 Pts. 1,251 Views Tasted May 4, 2024 |
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2022
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Flowers, incense, licorice, espresso, and red berries work together perfectly in the nose, and on the palate. The wine is medium-bodied, elegant, soft, and creamy in texture, finishing with silky tannins, and sweet, red fruits on the back end. Drink from 2025-2040. 92-94 Pts. 2,701 Views Tasted May 8, 2023 |
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2021
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Medium-bodied, fresh, high-toned, red fruits spring in the nose and on the palate. The wine is forward, elegant, spicy and comes with a bit of chocolate and pepper that adds to the sweet plums and cherries. There is no need to wait with this wine, as you can enjoy it on release. Drink from 2024-2036. 887 Views Tasted Mar 9, 2024Fennel, smoke and espresso with black raspberries and red plums on the nose and palate. The medium-bodied wine is soft, silky, fresh, forward and already charming to taste. No need to wait. Just pop, pour and enjoy this on release. Drink from 2023-2035. 89-91 1,691 Views Tasted May 20, 2022 |
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2020
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
The attention seeking nose gets you with its display of flowers, cherries, Allspice, licorice and espresso. On the palate, the fruits are ripe, dark, sweet and polished. The medium-bodied, soft-textured finish, with all of its silky tannins, vibrance, ripe fruits and touch of crushed stones is already hitting all the right marks. Drink from 2024-2040. 1,541 Views Tasted Mar 21, 2023Showing a good depth of color, the fruit is ripe, dark, sweet and polished. Medium-bodied, with soft-textures and a cool touch of minerality in the licorice, spice and espresso toned finish, this is good now, and it is going to be even better with 3-5 years of bottle age. 90-92 Pts 2,713 Views Tasted May 20, 2021 |
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2019
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Roses, licorice, espresso and black with red fruits come through easily on the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, soft, silky and lifted on the palate, with a savory finish loaded with red and black fruits and a hint of crushed stone in the endnote. Drink from 2023-037. 2,568 Views Tasted Mar 29, 2022Fruity, lush, round and rich, with loads of ripe dark berries, chocolate, espresso and licorice, the wine offers a lot of pleasure in every sniff and sip. 90-92 Pts 2,733 Views Tasted Jun 8, 2020 |
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2018
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Espresso, smoke, plums, licorice and black cherries are easy to find on the nose and palate. The wine is lushly textured, opulent and fresh with sweetness to all the plums and cherries you find in the finish. This is really coming along nicely and will be even better with some age. 2,277 Views Tasted Mar 9, 2021Round, supple, fresh and fruity, the dark, red fruits and licorice pop with energy and the freshness and soft tannins come with a nice cocoa and plum note in the finish. 91-93 Pts 3,002 Views Tasted Apr 19, 2019 |
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2017
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Medium-bodied, with a core of licorice, cocoa and sweet cherry fruits. Soft tannins and a gentle mouth feel will make this wine charming to enjoy in its youth. 1,814 Views Tasted Apr 26, 2018 |
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2016
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Spicy, earthy, smoky, espresso bean and licorice infused cherry sensations are with you from start to finish here. The wine is polished, fresh and inviting, with a core of ripe, elegant earthy, red fruits on the palate and in the finish. 2,522 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019Medium bodied with a smoky, cherry personality, the wine is soft and polished with a plummy, earthy, chocolate finish. 2,871 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2017 |
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2015
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
This is the best wine produced here. It is impossible not to notice the soft, sweet, silky, fresh, pure cherries and plums. There is energy and vibrancy in the wine that leaves you with an earthy, licorice and black cherry finish. 3,906 Views Tasted Mar 12, 2018Clearly the best wine ever produced here, the fruits are silky, soft, sweet and polished, the round supple textures feel great, and the plummy, licorice infused finish with its cocoa and charcoal nuances are a pleasure to taste. 3,648 Views Tasted Nov 22, 2017Better after just a year in barrel there is a bit more weight, density and complexity, This should end up at the top, or just past my initial barrel scores. 2,797 Views Tasted Jul 12, 2017Medium-bodied, forward, elegant, sweet, fresh, spicy, earthy cherries, espresso and thyme get things off to a good start, before the refined tannins in the finish kick in. 89-91 Pts 2,498 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2016 |
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2014
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Medium-bodied, soft and sweet with dark red fruit and chocolate character, this wine has a forward personality. 88-90 Pts 3,275 Views Tasted Apr 27, 2015 |
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2013
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
With floral and plum notes in the nose, there is a softness in the mouth, finishing with black raspberries and some dryness in the finish. 86-88 Pts 3,046 Views Tasted Apr 28, 2014 |
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2012
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Medium bodied, soft and silky smooth, the licorice and black cherry focused wine is definitely going to deliver its pleasures early. The wine was made from a blend of 75% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. 3,360 Views Tasted Nov 8, 2015Coffee, licorice, dark red berries with a round, oaky and slightly dry finish. 88-90 pts 4,013 Views Tasted Apr 26, 2013 |
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2011
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Earth, smoke, coffee bean and black raspberry notes open to a medium bodied, forward, soft wine that will be drinkable on release. 3,031 Views Tasted Nov 17, 2013From a blend of 75% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc and the rest made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine opens up with black licorice, dark cherry, oak, chocolate and wet earth scents. Medium bodied, round and fresh, at 13.5% ABV, the wine ends with coffee, licorice and black cherry. 89-92 Pts 3,082 Views Tasted Mar 16, 2012 |
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2010
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Floral, black raspberry and licorice in the nose, soft, ripe tannins and a finish with sweet black cherries. This drinks well young, due to the ripeness of the fruit and it should age for at least another 10-15 years. 4,702 Views Tasted Nov 3, 2015There are times when a very good wine, with an easy to get along with personality hits the spot. Especially when you grab the last bottle of the night, splash decant it, and boom, it's ready to go. With its licorice, coffee bean, blackberry liqueur nose, plush, soft textures and fat, juicy, fruit filled silky finish, it was the right wine at the right time. Drink now for pleasure, or age it for more complexity. The wine was made from a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. 3,706 Views Tasted Aug 24, 2014With the assistance of Hubert de Bouard from Chateau Angelus, this property keeps getting better, one step at a time. Earthy, pepper, herbs, plums and coffee aromas catch your interest. The soft, round textures, freshness and vanilla infused black raspberry finish is a pleasure to experience. 90-93 Pts 3,887 Views Tasted Mar 14, 2011 |
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2009
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Medium/full-bodied, soft, silky, fresh, earthy and floral, there is sweetness and depth to the fruit, and the right amount of polish to the tannins, providing an elegant, silky experience. Close to f-mature, no decanting needed, drink this over the next 10-15 years. 3,093 Views Tasted Oct 12, 2021With a perfume that seeks attention due to its fresh earth, tobacco, licorice, truffle and black raspberry profile, this concentrated, plush textured, wine ends with a rich, chocolate covered, ripe, cherry and blackberry finish. The hard work from Magali and Thibault Decoster and their consultant, Hubert de Bouard from Angelus as paid off, as this is the best wine yet from Clos de Jacobins. 4,771 Views Tasted Mar 12, 20122009 Clos des Jacobins has a nose filled with mixed berries, anise, smoke, espresso, and fresh herbs. Full bodied, with ample dark pit fruit that fills your mouth before you head into the licorice tinted finish. Hubert de Bouard consults for the property. 91-93 Pts 5,591 Views Tasted Jun 28, 2010 |
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2008
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Medium bodied, with bright, red fruits, olives, espresso and thyme are out in front. There is a bit too much freshness here, which is probably not going to lessen with age as the fruit fades with time. I'd opt for drinking this wine sooner than later. 2,555 Views Tasted Dec 27, 2017 |
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2006
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Ready to go,medium-bodied, soft, silky, plummy wine, finishing with sweet, black plums, wet earth, herbs, espresso, and mildly dusty tannins. No decanting is needed here, just pop, pour and enjoy. 3,214 Views Tasted Sep 19, 2021 |
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2005
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Licorice, coffee bean, black cherry and earthy aromas, soft, smooth, silky textures and a plush, rich, plum, fennel and black cherry are found in this wine. This is already starting to drink well and should continue to improve for at least the next decade. 4,026 Views Tasted May 31, 2012 |
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2001
Clos des Jacobins (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
At its full peak of maturity, now you find a medium-bodied, soft, round wine loaded with sweet cherries, thyme, wet earth, truffle, and mocha. There is no reason to hold this any longer as I suspect the wine will slowly decline from here. 2,285 Views Tasted Sep 19, 2021 |
