Château Capbern, St Estèphe, 2025
Wearing a smart new label with a nod to its sister property, Calon Segur, the 2025 Capbern will without doubt be one the best value buys from this vintage. Very fragrant, fresh and floral: morello cherries and touches of graphite, there's no sense of compromise. This has depth and a sweet fruited character allied to crisp yet fine tannins. There's a lovely sense of balance, natural energy and cohesion here. Smart.
critic reviews
The 2025 Capbern comes with a redesigned label that now sports the same heart-shaped motif in order to visibly link it with Calon-Ségur. This was picked from September 4 with the Merlot until September 20, the fastest harvest ever at 15 days since the maturity was already there. Yields are 32 hl/ha and it was matured in 60% new oak barrels, alcohol 13.8% with a 3.25 pH. This has an attractive bouquet with brambly black fruit, briar, cedar and light tea leaf scents that gradually open in the glass. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, gentle grip, a little chalkiness and plenty of freshness and poise towards the finish. More cohesive than recent vintages, I really appreciate the control and minéralité towards the finish. This is one of the best Capbern releases to date.
Beautiful tension and concentration, delivers energy and balance, cassis, bilberry, orange peel, showing the gravel clay limestone terroir, lovely fresh lift, well balanced with finesse. A real drinkability is apparent, helped by wine making choices such as low temperature fermentation, low extraction, low amounts of press wine. Harvest September 4 to 20. New label from 2024 vintage, has the Calon heart and makes explicit the link that the two estates were owned by same family since the 19th century. Vincent Millet director. 60% new oak. 3.60 pH. Yield 32 hl/ha.
A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2025 Capbern now sports a new label that reflects its historic links to Calon-Ségur. Offering up notes of violets, dark berries and a deft touch of creamy new oak, it's medium- to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with supple, powdery tannins that assert themselves on the youthfully structured finish. It checks in at 13.8% alcohol.