Chateau Jean Faure Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classe 2022
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.
96 Pts Vinous 'The 2022 Jean Faure is a total stunner. It shows much better from bottle than it did from barrel. Jean Faure often catches people out due to its dominance of Cabernet Franc (64% in this vintage). It has an enticing bouquet with brambly red fruit, dried blood and bell pepper deriving from the Cabernet Franc-dominated blend. Soaring aromatics meld into a core of vibrant red/purplish fruit. Blood orange, raspberry, mocha, spice and new leather soar out of the glass. There’s plenty of energy here. This comes recommended. Drink 2027-2042.'
95 Pts Jeb Dunnuck 'The 2022 Château Jean Faure is based on 64% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, and 6% Malbec that’s from deeper clay soils on the upper plateau, not far from Cheval Blanc and La Dominique. Raised in 30% new oak with 25% in foudre and 15% in concrete tanks, its high Cabernet Franc component gives this wine its singular character, and while it’s never the biggest or richest wine in a vintage, it absolutely shines for its complexity and nuance. The 2022’s deep ruby/plum hue is followed by an exotic perfume of red and black fruits, blood orange, and spicy, floral nuances. With medium-bodied richness, a pure, graceful, beautifully balanced mouthfeel, and fine tannins, this classy, elegant Saint-Émilion will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age (you’ll be excused for drinking a bottle today), and it should see its 25th birthday in fine form. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink 2031-2061.'
95 Pts The Wine Insider 'The perfume pops with notes of sweet, cherries, plums, flowers, herbs, and a hint of truffle. However, the palate is where the wine shines. Silky, elegant, long, lush, polished, and refined, I love the purity of the fruit on the palate, along with its energy in the finish. The wine blends 64% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot and 6% whole-bunch vinification, Malbec. Drink from 2027-2040'
94 Pts Peter Moser, Falstaff 'Dark ruby, purple reflections, brightening on the rim. Delicate liquorice, red cherries, tobacco in the background, herbal savouriness, bouquet marked by the Cabernet Franc. Complex, juicy, sweet red wild berries, some nougat on the finish, mineral and fresh, good length. Certain ageing potential.'
The Details
Variety - Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Country - France
Region - Bordeaux
Sub Region - Saint Emilion
Extra - Cork
Year - 2022
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.
