Couvent des Jacobins 2020

The complexity and freshness of a great balanced Red wine from Saint-Émilion

The estate

It is in a true jewel, hidden from view but in the heart of Saint-Émilion that the Couvent des Jacobins is revealed. A true memory of the medieval town, the Couvent des Jacobins was built in the 13th century. The estate has thus been renowned for its wine production for nearly seven centuries. Since 2010, Xavier Jean has been at the head of the property, thereby carrying on the history of this emblematic estate of the appellation.

The vineyard

The vineyard of the Couvent des Jacobins extends over four different soil categories: the limestone bedrock located east of Saint-Émilion, the clay-sand on calcareous molasses of the Fronsadais (southwest), the clay-sand on iron pan subsoils (southwest) and the clay-limestone (on the northeast plateau of the village). The estate is certified organic with the use of complementary biodynamic solutions.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage embodies a year that forever leaves its mark. At the Couvent des Jacobins, it is the first organic-certified vintage. The year opened with a winter without notable difficulties, which allowed optimal vine development until spring. The spring season was rather wet, demanding constant vigilance. The summer heat and vine dehydration towards the end of the season nevertheless reduced yields but also concentrated the grapes in a manner comparable to 2018. Leaf thinning was light to avoid excessive ripeness and to preserve all the freshness of the berries. Harvesting began earlier than the previous two years and took place over two weeks.

Winemaking and aging

After the manual harvest, the berries are sorted and brought to the cellar. The grapes are placed in tanks using 100% gravity flow. A pre-fermentation maceration of 2 to 5 days is carried out at a temperature of 8 to 12 °C. Then, macerations with temperature control adapted to each grape variety are undertaken. The berries macerate between 20 and 25 days without sulfur in order to preserve the freshness and balance that characterize the 2020 vintage. The wine is placed in barrels in December 2020. About 45% of the barrels are new, and 55% used, and aging lasts on average 12 to 15 months.

Blend

Merlot (85%), cabernet franc (10%) and petit verdot (5%).

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Couvent des Jacobins 2020

Tasting

This vintage reveals itself powerful and complex but also possesses the elegance and length on the palate of the 2012, 2016 or 2019 vintages.