Appellations

Capbern 2022

St Estephe, Cru bourgeois

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Tasting Notes

The 2022 Capbern takes a few minutes to really coalesce on the nose. It has more red fruit than I recall compared to en primeur, with raspberry and wild strawberry scents, touches of wilted rose petal and a hint of dried blood in the background. This opens nicely with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a rounded, very harmonious opening, well-judged acidity and a judicious dab of spice toward the finish. This finishes with style, perhaps better than the aromatics at the moment. It is promising.

Score: 91 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2027-2047 Date: 01 April 2025

The 2022 Capbern was cropped at 26hL/ha between 6 and 27 September, a 20-day cuvaison and matured in 60% new oak for a planned 18 months. The Cabernet Sauvignon berries were tiny this year, which underlies why the Merlot comprises a higher percentage of the blend. It has an airy, floral bouquet with blackberries, wild strawberries and a touch of raspberry confit. There's an almost Pinot-like purity. The palate is medium-bodied with a grippy, peppery entry, full-bodied and muscular at the moment. I'm seeking a bit more grace here - perhaps this Saint-Estèphe is slightly over-revving on the finish?

Score: 90 - 92 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2027 - 2047 Date: 01 May 2023

One of the more opulent, sexy wines in the vintage, the 2022 Château Capbern just about jumps out of the glass with its sweet red, blue, and black fruits as well as notions of chocolate, graphite, and leafy herbs. Full-bodied, concentrated, and textured on the palate, with ripe tannins, this stunning Saint-Estèphe is up there with the finest vintages I've tasted from this château.

Score: 94 - 96 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 05 October 2023

Notes of dark berries and cherries mingled with licorice and loamy soil introduce the 2022 Capbern, a medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy wine framed by ripe, powdery tannins and concluding with a long, somewhat heady finish. It's a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, picked between the 6th and 27th of September.

Score: 90 - 92 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 28 April 2023

Attractive inky ruby colour, sculpted slightly heady iris flowers on the aromatics, opens to damson fruits, cocoa bean, liquorice root, slate, clear concentration and a flash of heat. Harvest began on September 6, earliest ever seen here, through to September 27. 26hl/h yields. 60% new oak.

Score: 91 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Date: 24 April 2023

A firm and tight red with blackberry and currant character. Medium body. Bright and savory.

Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 13 April 2023