2016 Château Capbern
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Tasting notes
Deep shiny purple turning red at the rim. Peppery black and blue fruits line the nose, together with a touch of incense and graphite, with a back note of ripe black cherry. There is a real sense of round, ripe fruit but also pencil shavings and savoury spice. The palate is plush on entry, full of inky blueberry and cassis fruit. There is a touch of vanilla bean and espresso, but that graphite tone keeps everything in check. The tannins add chalky bite, keeping everything balanced. Long, supple and opening up nicely in the glass. Spicy, lightly smoky and oozing black fruit on the finish, this is an impressive showing. (TP)
Critic scores
James Suckling
Wine Enthusiast
More reviews and scores
Deep ruby colour, similar to the 2014 but with a little more vibrancy. On the palate, the depth and concentration is clear, with layers of damson plum, cocoa bean, mandarin peel, earth and peat. Full of charm and character, with higher alcohols than many but no trace of heat.
40% Merlot. Tasted blind. Very dark crimson. Juicy and lively with real pace and intensity and some chalky, slightly inky, dry finish. Good fruit concentration. VGV (JR)
Made by the stellar team at Calon Ségur, the 2016 Château Capbern is fabulous stuff that readers should snatch up. Based on 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot raised in 60% new French oak, this deeply colored Saint-Estèphe offers textbook crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, crushed tobacco leaf, and damp earth. Deep, medium to full-bodied, concentrated, with fine tannins and everything in the right places, it’s going to benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for upwards of two decades.