Château Cap de Faugères 2021

Bing cherry and licorice notes give this an overt personality, while light tobacco notes and sanguine hints keep it grounded through the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2028. 2,000 cases made.

Sweet and scented nose. This has a lovely bright and playful intensity, with grippy yet fine tannins coating the mouth and giving structure, plus a gentle cherry-skin, fleshy appeal. A little tense and it finishes a touch short, with dark chocolate, clove and menthol freshness and bitterness coming through on the finish.

The 2021 Cap de Faugères has not really developed on the nose since I tasted it from barrel, showing dark, plummy fruit that just lacks a bit of brightness. The palate is more engaging with cedar-infused red fruit, though the finish still feels a bit short and hard at the moment.

Black cherries, cocoa, mint, licorice, espresso and floral essences pop in the nose. On the palate, the wine is forward, lifted, but not quite high-toned, finishing with orange citrus, red cherries, pepper and red plums with a touch of chalk that comes in at the end of the finish. Drink from 2024-2036.

Dark ruby core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. An inviting bouquet of strawberries, ripe plums and a touch of nougat. Slender palate with notes of dried plums, vivid finely woven tannins, limestone notes and a salty finish. Good with food.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.5 hl/ha, production 24,000 bottles) Floral, silky, fresh bouquet, raspberries, currants, fine pepper, fresh herbs. Well-structured, aromatic, fresh palate with good tannin, delicate fruit, a solid bourgeois structure, fresh, fine aromatics, long, delicately bitter finish. Can improve further.

(85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.5 hl/ha, production 24,000 bottles) Floral, silky, fresh bouquet, raspberries, blackcurrants, a hint of fine pepper, fresh herbs. Well-structured, aromatic, fresh palate with good tannins, fine fruit, solid bourgeois structure, fresh, delicate aromatics, long, slightly bitter finish. Can still improve. 16/20 2026 - 2038

Blueberry and raspberry fruits dominate on the first nose, with touches of crab apple as the acidity sharpens towards the finish. This has rich texture and careful extraction, but only skirts full ripeness. Harvest October 2–12. Tasted twice, 12.5 hl/ha yield.

The 2021 Cap de Faugeres has a medium garnet-purple color. It opens a little broodily with scents of plum and dusty soil giving way to hints of tar and tapenade. Medium-bodied, the palate has bright fruit and a lively backbone, finishing a tad chewy.

Jammy red and black fruits burst on the nose, marked by crushed raspberry. On the palate, the acidity is still pronounced, but the oak does not dominate.