Chateau Capbern - Saint Estephe 2022
Price: $32.96
| Producer | Chateau Capbern |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Subregion | St. Estephe |
| Varietal | Bordeaux Blend |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Sku | 601387 |
| Size | 750ml |
Château Capbern has been on a roll. The past few vintages we've worked with have provided us with some serious drinking at a very comfortable price point. Packed in handsome 12 bottle wood cases, this wine made under the Calon-Segur flag, should be excellent even now with a little air but it will continue to improve for a further decade or two.
The origins of Château Capbern, located in Saint-Estèphe, trace back to the 18th century, when the estate was established through the marriage of the Rivière and Capbern families, followed by a union between the Capbern and Gasqueton families. In 1894, the Capbern-Gasqueton family expanded their holdings with the acquisition of the renowned Calon Ségur estate. For over a century, both estates were passed down through generations until 2011, when the last Gasqueton heir, Denise Gasqueton, passed away. Suravenir, a French insurance group, took ownership of both properties, ushering in a new era while honoring the estates' rich histories. Today, Château Capbern thrives under the same management as its prestigious sister estate, Calon Ségur.
Capbern’s terroir benefits from exceptional soils, featuring sandy-gravelly, clayey-gravelly, and chalky compositions, which have excellent exposure and fantastic natural drainage. The estate spans 38 hectares, with 29 hectares of vines planted, predominantly to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The vineyard's vines, averaging 17 years of age, are meticulously hand-harvested and sorted before undergoing vinification in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. The wines are then aged for 18 months, with 60% in new barrels, ensuring a refined maturation process. Under the guidance of consultant oenologist Éric Boissenot, Capbern continues to produce wines that reflect the quality of its unique terroir.
Jeb Dunnuck: 94-96 Points
One of the more opulent, sexy wines in the vintage, the 2022 Château Capbern just about jumps out of the glass with its sweet red, blue, and black fruits as well as notions of chocolate, graphite, and leafy herbs. Full-bodied, concentrated, and textured on the palate, with ripe tannins, this stunning Saint-Estèphe is up there with the finest vintages I've tasted from this château.
James Suckling: 92-93 Points
A firm and tight red with blackberry and currant character. Medium body. Bright and savory.
Wine Advocate: 90-92 Points
Notes of dark berries and cherries mingled with licorice and loamy soil introduce the 2022 Capbern, a medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy wine framed by ripe, powdery tannins and concluding with a long, somewhat heady finish. It's a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, picked between the 6th and 27th of September.
