CHÂTEAU JEAN FAURE
2017 Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion
An unscheduled visit to the Château, we were very warmly received by Olivier Decelle and his rather large shaggy dog. All of his Merlot was destroyed by the frost. The resulting blend: 95% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec (2016 was 50% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot, 5% Malbec). The high proportion of Cabernet Franc is obvious on the nose. Attractive sweet red fruit is complemented by enjoyable bell pepper notes. Surprisingly smooth on the palate - rich fruit and mineral stone keeps it interesting. The oak is well integrated and enhances rather than dominates the wine. This is a great effort in tricky circumstances. There is not much of this kicking around. Rating: 92 L&S (Apr 2018)
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The 2017 Jean Faure is 95% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec – the Merlot completely eradicated by the frost. It actually has an interesting, loamy bouquet with a touch of green bell pepper in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, touches of bell pepper and spice once again, but you know, it is a thoroughly reasonable take on a quasi-Cabernet Franc monovarietal and in that respect, it works well. Drinking range: 2020 - 2027 Rating: 87-89 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2018)
The deep purple-colored 2017 Château Jean Faure (the color is no doubt due to the Malbec) offers a beautiful perfume of blueberries, leafy herbs, damp earth, and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, fresh and elegant, it has nicely integrated acidity, present tannin, and nicely integrated acidity. It shines more for its complexity and elegance than power and richness, and has outstanding potential. Rating: 89-92 Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (Apr 2018)
This has a rounded edge, with cassis and plum sauce flavors flowing through, along with a swath of tobacco and a tug of warm paving stone. Nice character. Rating: 89-92 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2018)
These vineyards are located in the extreme west of the appellation, near Château Figeac and Château Cheval Blanc, were the frost did a lot of damage. It also tends to major on Cabernet Franc, and I think it has been disadvantaged in this vintage. It starts off rather green and leafy, with smoked cherry fruit, with a rather grained, sandy edge to it. The palate is gentle, smoky, with leafy fruit, herbaceous but moving into the tobacco and pencil-shaving Cabernet Franc arena, with a moderate grip in the end. Sandy, slightly chalky tannins, firm and grippy. Rather a low-key result, but a sign of the difficult vintage I think. Rating: 84-86 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2018)
Château Jean Faure
Château Jean Faure was bought by Olivier Decelle (who had already acquired the Maury, 'Mas Amiel' by then) in 2004. This ended a dark period in the property's history, since it had lost its position as a 'Grand Cru Classé' in 1985, thanks to bad management at the time. A long period of investment and restructuring followed. The vineyard oof 18 hectares, being partly on a similar gravel to its near neighbour Cheval Blanc, is composed of 56% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot and 6% Malbec. The property has now regained its 'classé' rank. The wine is aged for eighteen months, one third in concrete, and two thirds in barrels, 60% new, and 40% one year old.