Jean Faure 2018
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Wine
Spectator - Decanter
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Wine
Enthusiast -
James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Blend: 65% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 5% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Lovely cassis, bergamot and cherry notes glide along, backed by a light mineral twinge. The ample structure is refined and well-embedded. Very pure.
Barrel Sample: 92-95 -
Decanter
Among the highest Cabernet Franc levels in St-Emilion. Not hugely expressive right now, but there is a ton of potential here. Pretty closed down on the palate, this has excellent structure, a good tannic frame and rippling black cherry fruits. The bones are here, it just needs an extra few years in bottle to go over the top. Organic. Drinking Window 2024 - 2040
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Château Jean Faure comes from vines in the northern part of Saint-Emilion, not far from Cheval Blanc, La Dominique, and Figeac. This area tends to have more clay in the soils, and the blend is 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Malbec. A dense purple hue is followed by a complex, nuanced bouquet of redcurrants, black cherries, lavender, green tobacco, sandalwood, and dried flowers. Exotic and nicely perfumed aromatically, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a silky, elegant texture, nicely polished tannins, and terrific overall balance. It deserves 4-5 years in the cellar and should drink brilliantly for 15 years or more from cold cellars. Rating: 93+
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Wine Enthusiast
This Saint-Émilion classed growth shows dense black fruits, dominated by structured and perfumed Cabernet Franc. The richness is palpable, with blackberry and dark damson-plum flavors giving acidity. Solid tannins come both from the fruit and the wood aging. The wine has a fine journey ahead of it. Best after 2025.
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James Suckling
Blackberries, plums, dark chocolate, dried flowers and mahogany on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, velvety tannins. Supple and elegant. Try from 2023.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Jean Faure has a medium to deep garnet-purple color, bursting from the glass with bold notions of baked black plums, blackberry pie and boysenberry preserves, followed by hints of Chinese five spice, potpourri and smoked meats with a touch of black olives. The medium to full-bodied palate coats the mouth with flavors of black fruit preserves, supported by rounded tannin's and just enough freshness, finishing spicy.
Other Vintages
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Robert
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
James
Suckling
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Robert
Parker - Decanter
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James
Suckling -
Jeb
Dunnuck
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Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling -
Jeb
Dunnuck - Decanter
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Wine
Spectator
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Jeb
Dunnuck - Decanter
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Wine
Spectator -
James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker
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James
Suckling -
Wine
Spectator
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Marked by its historic fortified village—perhaps the prettiest in all of Bordeaux, the St-Émilion appellation, along with its neighboring village of Pomerol, are leaders in quality on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. These Merlot-dominant red wines (complemented by various amounts of Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon) remain some of the most admired and collected wines of the world.
St-Émilion has the longest history in wine production in Bordeaux—longer than the Left Bank—dating back to an 8th century monk named Saint Émilion who became a hermit in one of the many limestone caves scattered throughout the area.
Today St-Émilion is made up of hundreds of independent farmers dedicated to the same thing: growing Merlot and Cabernet Franc (and tiny amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon). While always roughly the same blend, the wines of St-Émilion vary considerably depending on the soil upon which they are grown—and the soils do vary considerably throughout the region.
The chateaux with the highest classification (Premier Grand Cru Classés) are on gravel-rich soils or steep, clay-limestone hillsides. There are only four given the highest rank, called Premier Grand Cru Classés A (Chateau Cheval Blanc, Ausone, Angélus, Pavie) and 14 are Premier Grand Cru Classés B. Much of the rest of the vineyards in the appellation are on flatter land where the soils are a mix of gravel, sand and alluvial matter.
Great wines from St-Émilion will be deep in color, and might have characteristics of blackberry liqueur, black raspberry, licorice, chocolate, grilled meat, earth or truffles. They will be bold, layered and lush.