Chateau Jean Faure, St Emilion Grand Cru Classe 2018
The Wine
Chateau Jean Faure produces a decadent and stylish wine which balances both opulence and structure. Decant now for immediate enjoyment but also rates as a serious medium to long term cellar proposition.
17/20 Jancis Robinson MW "Stunning. This was the star of the (small) line-up. Strikingly floral on the nose – I was inhaling rose petals, violets, muscari, rose hips – but with a supple, ripe blackberry depth. Touch of Persian souk and hash pipe. Satiny. Tastes as if there were cigarillos of hand-rolled Ceylon cinnamon soaking in the wine. Inky pomegranate and blackcurrants steeped in black tea and black pepper and yet not a whit of this wine is heavy. Like fine calligraphy, it leaves a clear, disciplined, unequivocal mark, without spot or smear."
93-95/100 Jeb Dunnuck "Another over-achiever in the vintage, the 2018 Château Jean Faure checks in as 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Malbec, which comes from a great terroir not far from Cheval Blanc, Figeac, and Ripeau. Sporting a vivid purple color and incredibly floral, elegant aromas and flavors, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless texture, building tannins, and a great finish. The Cabernet Franc plays the lead role at this point, and this is going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age."
92-95/100 James Molesworth, 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."
Whole six packs comes in original wooden case
The Details
Variety - Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec
Country - France
Region - Bordeaux
Sub Region - Saint Emilion
Extra - Cork
Year - 2018
Volume - 750ml
About the Wine Maker 
Chateau Jean Faure is situated in Bordeaux’s Saint-Emilion region. It sits amongst some of the finest Saint-Emilion terroirs, close to illustrious neighbours including La Dominique, Ripeau, Figeac, and Cheval Blanc and not that far from Petrus! It dates back to 1763 but it wasn't until 2004 that Jean Faure popped it’s head up from relative obscurity.
The lively and charming Olivier Decelle (owner of famed Roussillon vineyard, Mas Amiel), took the plunge in 2004 and purchased Chateau Jean-Faure. The terroir, with its gravel, clay and ferruginous sand, produces an atypical grape variety blend for Saint-Emilion, comprising 54% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot and 6% Malbec (most are much more Merlot dominated due low amounts of gravel) - much along the lines of Figeac.
Jean Faure is organically certified and is currently in conversion to biodynamics, that also makes extensively use horses in ploughing the rows. Vines age averages approx. 40 years - but there are some much older than 60+ years.
Olivier’s wines are improving out of sight. A big contributor can be found in his formidable team that includes illustrious winemaker, Stephane Derenoncourt as well as leading soil specialists, Claude and Lydia Bourguignon. Another factor is the large investment that Olivier has sunk into vineyard management techniques as well as significant vineyard drainage works. All in all, these efforts are now taking full advantage of it’s gifted terroir.
