Chateau Capbern Saint-Estephe 2020
(Bordeaux, France) - [JD 95] [DM 95] [JS 93] [WS 92] [WE 92] [VM 91] [WA 91]

About the Wine:
Château Capbern is one of the best kept secrets of Saint-Estèphe. It is the sister property of Château Calon-Ségur and had been owned by the Gasqueton family from 1894 until it was sold in 2012, following the death of Denise Capbern-Gasqueton. A Cru Bourgeois, it is an excellent example of a wine that outperforms its classification.

The 41 hectare property is located to the east of Calon-Ségur near the village of Saint-Estèphe, overlooking the Gironde on gravel, limestone and clay soils. Saint-Estèphe is one of the northernmost communes on the Left Bank. The water-retaining, cool, clay soils underneath the layer of gravel allow the vines here to perform better than some of their neighbours during hot and dry years.

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Readers looking for an off-the-charts value should snatch up the 2020 Château Capbern, which emerges from the same team as Calon Ségur. Offering a vivid bouquet of cassis, leafy tobacco, violets, damp earth, and chocolate, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, perfectly ripe fruit (not overripe, not underripe), ultra-fine, integrated tannins, and the mix of freshness and richness that’s part of all great wines. It’s a hidden gem in Saint-Estèphe." (May 2021)

"Another terrific Saint- Estèphe is the 2020 Château Capbern, which comes from the same team as Calon Ségur. (Current director Vincent Millet was brought on board in 2021.) Coming from 33 hectares of vines on sandy, gravelly, clay soils, the final blend is 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The élevage spanned 18 months in 60% new French oak, and this beauty hit just 12.8% natural alcohol. Gorgeous cassis, violets, damp earth, iron, and classy oak all emerge on the nose, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with beautiful tannins, a layered, seamless mouthfeel, and the vintage's pure, focused, age-worthy style front and center. Give bottles just 4-6 years and enjoy over the following two decades. (Drink between 2027-2047) (Mar 2023)

95 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Fine, new saddle leather aromas, vivid violet, juicy blackberry and tobacco leaf. Smooth and fresh, it has superior depth with noticeable yet refined tannins. The high percentage of new oak and Cabernet Sauvignon make for a seamless, long finish: opulent, fresh and precise. Enjoy with duck breast. (Drink between 2023-2040)" (Feb 2023)

93 Points - The Wine Cellar Insider:
"Flowers, dark cherries, chocolate, spice, wet forest, and black currants create the perfume. On the palate, the wine is equally fresh as it is ripe, sweet, lush and creamy with layers of rich, ripe, polished earthy fruits that linger. This a vineyard to keep an eye on as it getting better and better. Drink from 2023-2038." - Jeff Leve (Mar 2023)

93 Points - James Suckling:
"This is pretty and aromatic with ripe black cherries and blackberries as well as hints of chocolate, sweet spices and nut shell. Full-bodied with a deep character of mellow black fruit. Firm and structured with ripe, fine-grained tannins and a velvety finish. Try after 2025." (Dec 2022)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Shows a darker profile than most of its AOC brethren, with dark plum and black cherry fruit forming the core, while hints of singed bay leaf, warm earth and dark tobacco peek through. Reveals an earthy tug through the finish, too. Approachable now but no rush. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2034." - JM (Mar 2023)

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"This ripe wine has rich tannins and an open, juicy character. Blackberry flavors are warm from the wine's richness. With its density, the wine needs some time. Drink from 2026." - Roger Voss (Apr 2023)

91 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2020 Capbern remains quite the powerhouse, but it has come together well. Punchy red berry fruit, kirsch, gravel and white pepper all meld together in a Saint-Estèphe of class and personality. There's real depth and plenty of character. This is very nicely done. Tasted two times. (Drink between 2026-2040)" - Antonio Galloni (Feb 2023)

91 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2020 Capbern offers up aromas of sweet cassis, plums, pencil shavings, loamy soil and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and seamless palate that's polished, penetrating and dynamic. It's a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot and the balance Merlot, produced by Vincent Millet and his team from Calon Ségur." - William Kelley (Apr 2023)