2023 Château Capbern En Primeur
Released this morning for sale en primeur is the 2023 from Calon's sibling estate in St-Estéphe, the excellent value Capbern, at £200 per dozen and with 93-94 points from Suckling.
Offered en primeur, on allocation. Landing spring 2026.
Magnums available with £20 ex-VAT bottling surcharge per six, please enquire for other formats.
To order, e-mail us at sales@richardkihl.ltd.uk
Producer Profile
Château Capbern, Saint-Estèphe Cru Bourgeois
Château Capbern (known as Capbern-Gasqueton until 2014) is a Cru Bourgeois in Saint-Estèphe. A long-standing favourite (we have been drinking and enjoying the 2011 of late), Capbern is also an estate well on its way to ascending into a different league of winemaking, first under Laurent Dufau and, since 2020, under Vincent Millet.
Dufau and Millet are credited with the rapid progress made at Calon-Ségur, under the same ownership as Capbern since 2012. Calon is challenging Montrose and Cos d'Estournel as the leading wines of Saint-Estèphe and each new vintage of Capbern shows some of this ambition too. The 33 hectares of vines are hand-harvested and the wine is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, aged for 18 months in 60% new oak barrels.
| RED | 2023 | Château Capbern | 75cl | £200 per case of 12 | Château Capbern 2023 / / 75cl £200 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2023 Capbern has a deep garnet-purple color. It is a little grumpy to start, offering notes of black pepper and sassafras before opening out to notions of plum preserves and stewed strawberries, with a waft of tree bark. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and light on its feet, with lightly chewy tannins and a peppery finish. 88-90 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"The 2023 Capbern was picked from September 6 to 20 at 45hL/ha, matured in 60% new oak. Alcohol is stated at 14.6%. It has a ripe, plush bouquet with brambly red fruit, raspberry confit and just a hint of orange rind coming through with aeration. The palate is well-balanced and cohesive, with slightly powdery tannins, gentle grip and a touch of warmth on the spice box-tinged finish. The acidity (pH is 3.7) keeps this on an even keel, but I would be inclined to drink it after two or three years. 89-91 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Capbern is a plush, sensual wine. Juicy dark plum, spice, mocha, gravel and incense are all amplified in this racy, wonderfully inviting Saint-Estèphe. Soft, supple tannins wrap it all together in style. Readers looking for an affordable wine to drink over the next 10-12 years will adore this. Superb. 90-92 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A serious, brooding wine, the 2023 Capbern offers up aromas of cassis and dark berries mingled with licorice and spices. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with good depth and concentration, it's built around lively acids and powdery tannins. It's a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon (an unusually high proportion for Capbern) and 29% Merlot with the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"There is clarity and freshness to this, with crunchy dark fruit, cedar and blackberry. It’s medium-bodied, racy and fine. Lead pencil at the end. More precise than 2022. 69% cabernet sauvignon, 29% merlot, 1% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com |
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