Château Capbern, St Estèphe, 2024
Vincent Millet and his team reverted to traditional farming methods during the spring. This flexible and pragmatic approach to farming helped them conquer the threat of mildew and resulted in better vine health and yields. Capbern 2024 is one of the few “value” wines from this vintage that was really successful, presenting a bright and glossy appearance, the bouquet is fragrant, replete with cherry fruit and flowers. On the palate, the wine is taut and well-balanced, showcasing a delightful harmony between its vibrant fruit and floral notes. A very satisfying St Estephe.
critic reviews
Deep garnet-purple colored. Shoots from the glass with vibrant notes of fresh red and black currants and wild sage, giving way to hints of graphite, fertile loam, and charcoal. The light-bodied palate is crisp and lightly chewy with bright red berry flavors and an herbal lift on the finish.
The 2024 Capbern aged in 60% new French oak for 18 months and contains a little more Cabernet than usual. It has a fresh bouquet with blackberry, cranberry, incense and pencil shaving aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with strict tannins. This is armed with satisfying freshness, brightness and hints of allspice and cumin in the background. This is cohesive on the modest, sapid finish. Although this is not the best Capbern that I have encountered in recent years, it is certainly a decent wine for the vintage.
Enticing aromatics on this wine, soft waves of rose petals, blackberry fruit, crayon and pencil lead, with measured oak use. Acidity puts the tannins into a little overly-focused position on the finish, and the austerity that needs to be softened over ageing. Fairly old school, with charm. 3.60 pH. 45 hl/ha. 60% new oak.
A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, the 2024 Capbern is a polished classic, offering up notions of cassis, lilac, licorice and pencil shavings, followed by a medium-bodied, supple and polished palate with good underlying cut and grip. It checks in at 12.9% alcohol.