Jean Faure 2022 (750ML)

93-95 WA / 93-95 WI / 93-95 JD / 93-94 JS / 92-94 VM / 94 JA

A blend of 64% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot and 6% old vine Malbec vinified with whole bunches, the 2022 Jean Faure wafts from the glass with characteristically complex aromas of rose petals, dark berries, plums, violets, vine smoke and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and seamless, it's suave and textural, with a layered core of fruit, powdery structuring tannins and a bright, mouthwatering finish. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Jean Faure barrels out with bold notes of juicy blueberries, redcurrant jelly, and Morello cherries, plus wafts of pencil shavings, fallen leaves, and clove oil. The medium to full-bodied palate is elegant and beautifully poised, with a lively backbone and fine-grained tannins, finishing long and fragrant. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent

Checking in as a unique blend of 64% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, and 6% Malbec, the 2022 Château Jean Faure is a pretty, elegant, lively, medium to full-bodied barrel sample revealing lots of lifted red, blue and black fruits, some floral and sappy herb nuances, beautifully integrated tannins, and a layered, incredibly well-balanced style that's going to shine with short-term cellaring. It's beautifully done. - Jeb Dunnuck

Very fresh and bright with lovely energy and agility on the palate. Medium body. Fine tannins. Two-thirds cabernet franc. Made from biodynamically grown grapes. - James Suckling

The 2022 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. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine acidity, granular texture and a graphite-tinged finish. There's plenty of energy here. This comes recommended. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

This is a delicate expression of the vintage, with a raspberry leaf and peony character which stands out in contrast to so many. Even the colour is more jewel-ruby than the inky depths you find elsewhere, and the palate opens to show blueberry and black cherry fruits, sage and white pepper herbs, with fine but plentiful tannins. A touch austere at this stage, and I would give it a good five to six years in bottle before drinking, but the mouthwatering finish is already evident. This is not a place to go to if you want the big exuberance of the vintage, but great to see that there is another way. 3.6ph, 40hl/h yield, aged in concrete egg (15%), new oak (30%) 2,000l casks (25%), one year old barrels (30%). Organic certified and in biodynamic conversion, with soil temperature tracked and cover crops used to keep moisture. Harvest September 6 to October 2, late for the year, with 17 days picking. - Jane Anson. Inside Bordeaux