Château Cap de Faugères 2020

Austere kicks to the tannins but it is enjoyable, with plum and sage flavours that come in waves through the palate. Pretty subdued overall but enjoyable. Owned by Silvio Denz

Medium-bodied, round, lush and forward, with a dusty-textured core of ripe, sweet chocolate and plum fruit, polished tannins, and a touch of spicy espresso on the finish. Drink from 2023–2035.

Intense blueberry bouquet, delicate lilac scent, licorice and sloe jelly. On the palate, plump, with a soft texture, fine sandy extract and a tight-knit tannic framework; an ascetic body. In the focused finish, the Castillon slims down: small black berries, tarragon and finely crumbly astringency, rounded.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: (85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc) Floral, silky, fresh, delicately fruity bouquet, raspberries, redcurrants, nougat, small tobacco tablets. Fine-boned, elegant palate with delicate structure, good tannins, powerful, fresh fruit, spicy aromatics, airy, delicate finish.

(85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc) Floral, silky, fresh, finely fruity bouquet with raspberries, redcurrants, nougat, and small tobacco-tablet notes. Delicate, elegant palate with fine structure, good tannin, powerful, fresh fruit, spicy aromatics, and a fragrant, fine finish. 17/20 2025 - 2038

The 2020 Cap de Faugeres is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a fair bit of swirling to dispel broody notes of tar and damp soil and to bring out a fragrant core of kirsch, black raspberries, and boysenberries, leading to wafts of roses and cinnamon stick. The medium- to full-bodied palate is coated with bright, crunchy black and red fruit, supported by fine-grained tannins and a lively line, finishing with a skip in its step.

Cap de Faugères stands out for its ability to showcase its freshness. This is certainly Castillon’s strength, particularly thanks to its limestone soils. The wine has pep, tension, and tannins that are still somewhat firm but aligned with the wine’s suave side. So much energy in this Cap de Faugères 2020! It’s a great success, and it puts things back into perspective... although I don’t know where that church is!

The nose is fresh, fruity, with fine grain, subtle power and a certain concentration. It reveals notes of vibrant blueberry, raspberry and, more subtly, cornflower and small red fruits, with touches of fresh licorice, star anise and discreet hints of spice. The palate is fruity and offers freshness, minerality, good definition, a certain indulgence, a hint of tension, fine linearity and juiciness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy raspberry, fresh/bright blueberry and, more subtly, purple plum, with touches of small red berries as well as hints of violet, star anise, and fine hints of saffron and chocolate. Good length. The tannins offer a delicate plushness.

A soft, fruity, pleasant wine, but light.