| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Estèphe |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This Saint Estèphe property was formerly known as Capbern Gasqueton and has the same owners and wine-making team as Calon Ségur. The vineyard is 38 hectares and planted 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. It is situated, in one block, between Phélan Segur and Meyney. Quality has jumped massively in recent vintages and this is clearly a source of one of Bordeaux's best bargains.
The 2020 Capbern offers up aromas of sweet cassis, plums, pencil shavings, loamy soil and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and seamless palate that's polished, penetrating and dynamic. It's a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot and the balance Merlot, produced by Vincent Millet and his team from Calon Ségur. 2025 - 2045
The 2020 Capbern has a forward, fruit-driven bouquet with iodine-tinged black cherry fruit. It's actually quite floral—a bit of Margaux mixed with Saint-Estèphe! The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins, plenty of cedar and black-pepper-infused black fruit and an almost Tannat-like finish. It's just a bit uncompromising today. I would cellar this for three or four years. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 2028 - 2044
The 2020 Capbern is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a lot of coaxing to reveal a core laced with crème de cassis, wild blueberries, and mulberries, with hints of fruitcake and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is plush and juicy, with plenty of uncomplicated black fruits and a spicy finish.
69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Cask sample.
Dense but vibrant and aromatic. Plenty of crunchy fruit and freshness. Bigger structure than 2019, closer to 2018, the tannins firm and textured. Dry, persistent finish. One for the cellar. Should be GV. (JL) 14.1%
Drink 2027 – 2040
(69% CS, 29% M, 1% CF, 1% PV; 35hl/ha; 14.1% ABV; 60% new)
A nose that is above all mineral; full, fresh to vital in acidity, fine in tannin, a lovely balance; sweet cassis-cored to taste, crisply defined by its Cabernet acidity, intense yet restrained, particularly refined, and fresh in the “hot-year” context, and with lovely length. Likely to be very good value. 2025–35+.
The 2020 Capbern has a really quite lovely, sensual bouquet that could charm at a thousand paces: raspberry confit and wild strawberries. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, a fine bead of acidity, touches of pencil lead and pain grillé towards the finely proportioned, almost easygoing finish. This delightful Saint-Estèphe will drink well for the next dozen or so years.
The 2020 Capbern tasted at the château showed slightly better than the sample sent to the UK. Essentially, whilst the aromatics are near identical, the palate is a tad more precise and certainly less austere. There is more cohesion and more pliant tannins towards the finish, encouraging me to raise my banded score.
The 2020 Capbern has a delineated, earthy nose with predominantly black fruit and light estuarine scents, although it needs a little more intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with a tannic, slightly austere opening, saline and lightly spiced with a pleasant bitter edge towards the finish. Maybe a little short? It should fill out during its élevage so let’s see if it just gains persistence then. 2025 - 2033.
