Nestled in the heart of the village of Saint-Émilion, Couvent des Jacobins has been a family business since 1902.
Jean Jean acquired the estate, and today it’s his great-great-grandson, Xavier, who carries on the Grand Cru Classé tradition with a touch of innovation. So it’s no surprise that when you open the door to Couvent, you’re entering the corridors of time.
The history of the Jacobins Convent
The Jacobins Convent was built on one of Saint-Émilion’s highest points. In 1389, it was donated to the Dominican friars preachers, also known as the Jacobins, and took on its definitive name.
The Jacobins Convent was a place of prayer, but also a stopover for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. The brothers worked the vineyards surrounding their convent for almost four centuries, exporting it throughout France and to the English court.
Around 1780, the Dominican order was dissolved and the Couvent des Jacobins abandoned, before being sold as national property during the French Revolution. It subsequently had several owners, including the Guadet and Vauthier families.
The Couvent des Jacobins was bought by a Saint-Émilion winemaker, Jean Jean, known as Gentil Jean. The winery then passed to his daughter Berthe, who married Noël Joinaud. Between 1957 and 1965, the estate was extensively restructured and renovated, and the winery was enlarged to improve production.
In 1969, the Couvent des Jacobins achieved its first classification as a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé. The business passed to Rose-Noëlle Borde, Noël Joinaud’s daughter, and her husband Alain Borde. Since 2010, Xavier Jean, Jean Jean’s great-great-grandson, has been at the helm of the Couvent des Jacobins.
A great story passed down from generation to generation for the appellation!
The Couvent des Jacobins vineyard
The Couvent des Jacobins vineyard covers 10.7 hectares. The vines are between 10 and 55 years old. The grape varieties are Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The grapes are harvested by hand. They begin with the harvesting of Merlotfollowed by Cabernet Franc and finally Petit Verdot.
The estate is certified Organic Agriculture ECOCERT since September 2020.
The wines of the Couvent des Jacobins
Le Couvent des Jacobins produces Grand Cru Classé Saint-Émilion wines.
The blend is made up of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.
Jacobins Convent 2020 The nose is elegant and delicate, with a fine grain, depth, finesse and well-defined fruit. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy strawberries, fresh blackcurrants and, more lightly, blackberries. VertdeVin gives it a score of 94/100.
Jacobins Convent 2018 Rated 94/100 by James Suckling, this wine has good length. The tannins are well-crafted, racy and precise. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers juiciness and freshness.
An estate to discover, full of gustatory nuggets!
Champagne and wine lover ! 🥂🍷
