Château Capbern 2021

Compact, sinewy, with firm, slightly bitter tannins; should age a bit.

Bottled in May 2023, two months before its big brother Calon-Ségur, the 2021 Capbern has turned out very nicely, offering up aromas of dark berries, plums and licorice mingled with subtle hints of lilac, mint and spices. Medium to full-bodied, plush and polished, it's seamless and fleshy, with sweet tannins and good length on the finish.

Leads with damson plum fruit, while fresh chalky minerality and savory notes sparkle underneath. Forms a singed cedar backdrop on the finish as the fruit and minerality work together. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2030. 6,500 cases made.

Fragranced and pretty on the nose. High-toned acidity with a lovely salty, mineral juiciness, giving lifted, just-ripe cranberry and green apple fruit expression with green pepper, black tea, chalk and wet stone nuances. On the greener, vegetal side here—more savory than naturally sweet and ripe.

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Focused and direct. Long and linear but also juicy, with fine-grained tannins and a persistent mineral tone. Freshness and balance on the finish. GV? (JL)

The 2021 Capbern, bottled in May 2023, has a clean and precise nose that unfolds with slightly more red fruit than I observed en primeur. The oak here is nicely integrated with a background scent of black olive. The palate is well-balanced with a soft entry. This is clearly going to be one of the more approachable recent vintages from this Saint-Estèphe estate. Today it possesses fine, light tannins and modest weight, revealing more black fruit mixed with cedar and black pepper toward the finish. Quite understated, drink this over the next 15 to 20 years.

A tiny hint of espresso, flowers, Indian spices, and bright, red fruits on the nose opens the wine. Medium-bodied, soft, vibrant, and crisp, the red fruits have sweetness, lift, energy, and a touch of spice, with a sprig of refreshing mint that comes in at the end of the finish. This will drink well young. Drink from 2025–2038.

Intense garnet, shades of purple and ochre at the rim. Fine red berry nuances, inlaid with cherry fruit and a touch of orange zest. Juicy, elegant, fresh acidity, well-integrated tannins, lively, lemony-mineral finish; a balanced food companion.

Checking in as a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, the 2021 Château Capbern is terrific and an undeniable success in the vintage. Beautiful cassis, red cherries, savory herbs, and camphor notes all flow to a medium-bodied, round, charming, elegant 2021 that shines for its overall balance and purity. Give it just 2-3 years in the cellar, and it will evolve for 15 years or more if well stored.

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 12.8% ABV, pH 3.75, 36 hl/ha. Delicate blueberry-scented bouquet, light tobacco and elderberry jelly. Soft mid-palate texture, grainy extract, shows gentle grip, supportive tension and finely sandy astringency. Focused finish with red-berry contours, rosewood and light graphite, rounded.

Redcurrant and cranberry, touches of capsicum and raspberry leaf, with extra layers of cloves and white pepper spice. This dips a little through the mid palate, but is carefully constructed. No frost on the vineyard, 36 hl/ha yield. Eric Boisenot consultant, Suravenir owner.

The 2021 Capbern is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of redcurrant jelly and kirsch lead to a core of cassis and lavender, with a touch of tapenade. The medium-bodied palate is soft and fruity, with just enough freshness and a spicy lift on the finish.

On the nose, piercing notes of blue fruits intertwine with slate aromas. Racy on the palate, like a young thoroughbred waiting in the starting gate of a major horse race. This cru offers good value for money and stands out despite the challenging vintage.

Capbern reveals itself with calm confidence. I have rarely experienced it as this compelling. Its plurality—its ability to unveil many nuances (peonies, blackberries, sweet spices, and finally graphite)—only underscores its excellent level. Mirroring the bouquet, the palate unfolds in a linear, serene manner, with compact tannins and mouthwatering acidity. Everything feels well ordered, well in place. Like a teenager who has tidied their room on their own… although Vincent Millet and his team certainly lent a helping hand. A fine success!

Dark, deep colour. Highly aromatic, fruity nose, both ripe and slightly lively. The palate shows fine-grained tannic distinction, with flavour, fruit and a wonderful touch. Finish of good length, sappy and melting. Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon (the highest proportion), 28% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. Alcohol: 12.8% – pH: 3.75. Yield: 36 hl/ha. Wine neither chaptalized, bled-off, nor osmosed.

A linear and rather lean 2021 with currant, blackberry and graphite character. Medium body. Creamy tannins. Slightly chewy but will soften nicely. Drink after 2026.

The polished fruits give a strongly aromatic wine, juicy with black-currant flavors and a core of dark tannins. It is a ripe wine, seriously structured. Drink from 2027.