Château Capbern, St Estèphe, 2017
This excellent estate situated between Calon Segur and Montrose benefits from the same wine making team as Calon Segur: Laurent Dufau, Vincent Millet and Eric Boissenot. The fruit from this vineyard formed part of Calon Segur until the 2006 vintage, when the late Denise Gasqueton decided to create a separate label. It has now dropped the Gasqueton from its name and will just be called 'Capbern'. It has its own very smart winery and there is a very handsome Chateau tucked away behind the church in St Estephe. 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot cropped at 43.5 hl/ha and raised for 18 months in 60% new French oak barrels, the 2017 Capbern is an impressive and intense St Estephe produced in the new Calon Segur style. Initially a touch dusty and gravelly, it soon reveals its floral Cabernet perfume of violets, cool cassis, well delineated spiced fruits. This is beautifully constructed with so much vibrant black and red fruit, delightful tannins and a pure cherry stone finish. Impressive!
critic reviews
The 2017 Capbern is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. Stewed plums, kirsch, and raspberry pie notes all jump from the nose, followed by suggestions of wild thyme and tar. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a good amount of pure fruit with soft tannins and a lifted finish.
The 2017 Capbern is medium to deep garnet-purple colored with aromas of baked blackberries, Morello cherries, cassis, fertile loam, unsmoked cigars and sauteed herbs. The palate is medium-bodied, firm and grainy with a good black fruit core and red fruit sparks on the finish. The wine was aged for 18 months in French oak, 60% new. The final blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot.
The 2017 Capbern was bottled at the end April 2019. The wine has a perfumed bouquet with black fruit and light marine aromas, and a touch of brine in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly dry tannin, very classic in style and quintessentially Saint-Estèphe. Moderate in length, there is a slight rawness on the finish.