2020 Ch Capbern, St-Estèphe

 
Another terrific Saint- Estèphe is the 2020 Château Capbern, which comes from the same team as Calon Ségur. (Current director Vincent Millet was brought on board in 2021.) Coming from 33 hectares of vines on sandy, gravelly, clay soils, the final blend is 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The élevage spanned 18 months in 60% new French oak, and this beauty hit just 12.8% natural alcohol. Gorgeous cassis, violets, damp earth, iron, and classy oak all emerge on the nose, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with beautiful tannins, a layered, seamless mouthfeel, and the vintage's pure, focused, age-worthy style front and center. Give bottles just 4-6 years and enjoy over the following two decades. Drink: 2027-2047.

95 points Jeb Dunnuck

This is really solid and powerful with lots of tannins and blue fruit. Spicy. Full and chewy. A little coarse now, but will improve with barrel aging.

93-94 points James Suckling

The 2020 Capbern is composed of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, weighing in with 14.1% alcohol. It is due to be aged for around 18 months in French oak barrels, 60% new. Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Capbern sings of black cherries, mulberries and redcurrant jelly, with hints of candied violets, wild sage and fertile loam. The medium-bodied palate has impressive verve and freshness, featuring soft, well-managed tannins, red and black berry layers and a mineral-tinged finish.

89-91 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown 

Fine, new saddle leather aromas, vivid violet, juicy blackberry and tobacco leaf. Smooth and fresh, it has superior depth with noticeable yet refined tannins. The high percentage of new oak and Cabernet Sauvignon make for a seamless, long finish: opulent, fresh and precise. Enjoy with duck breast. Drink: 2023-2040.

95 points Panos Kakaviatos Decanter

Once considered one of Saint Estèphe's hidden gems, Château Capbern has flourished under the ownership of the Cazes family of Château Calon Ségur. Careful vineyard management, lower yields and meticulous winemaking have transformed the estate into one of Bordeaux's best value performers, producing wines that consistently punch well above their price.

The vineyards lie on the gravel, clay and limestone soils of Saint Estèphe, where Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot thrive in the cool maritime climate of the Left Bank. The superb 2020 vintage delivered fruit of outstanding concentration and freshness, resulting in a wine that balances the appellation's trademark structure with impressive elegance and approachability.

The colour is a deep garnet with vibrant purple highlights. Aromas of cassis, blackberry and black cherry are complemented by cedar, graphite, violets and subtle cigar box notes. The palate is beautifully defined, carrying ripe black fruits through polished tannins and lively acidity. Hints of dark chocolate, liquorice and crushed stone emerge across a long, savoury finish, revealing the class and pedigree of this outstanding vintage.

A superb partner for roast lamb, grilled rib eye, beef bourguignon or wild mushroom pithivier with black garlic. Enjoy with a generous decant today or cellar confidently through the late 2030s as further complexity unfolds.