Chateau Capbern 2016

ANTONIO GALLONI: "The 2016 Capbern is racy, bold and savory, with tons of energy from the Cabernet that drives the blend. Crushed rose petal, mint, dried herbs, licorice and lavender are some of the many notes that open up in the glass. Medium in body and gracious, this deceptively mid-weight Saint-Estèphe has a lot to offer. Time in barrel seems to have given the 2016 a bit more spine and tannic edge, which adds to an impression of freshness. What a gorgeous wine it is. Tasted three times."

DECANTER: "Made by the team at Château Calon-Segur, this is a superb Capbern. Deep, round luxurious, this vintage is bold and plush, with concentrated fruit, a mineral edge, and powerful, but silky tannins. Though the blend is heavy on Cabernet Sauvignon, at 69%, with 25% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, it’s drinkable now but has plenty of structure to age for 20 years. It’s matured in 60% new oak. Until the 2013 vintage, this was known as Château Capbern-Gasqueton, a reliable buy. Now it’s on an upward track with more balance and finesse. Drinking Window 2021 - 2035"

JAMES SUCKLING: "Very pretty fruit with dark berries, plums and currants. Hints of sweet tobacco. Medium bodied, firm and silky. Lovely, juicy finish with delicious acidity at the end. The 18 per cent of fabulous cabernet franc in this makes it special. Hard not to drink now, but better in 2023."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 4% very old Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. 60% new oak. Very deep crimson. Round and flattering texture with lots of zappy tannin. A little more angular than the famous 2009 but very easy to drink. Tannins quite marked at the moment. Very round tannins but they are there in such profusion that you will have to wait…"

JEB DUNNUCK: "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."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Blackberry, citrus, spice, earth and cassis provide the perfume for this potential first date. On the palate, the wine is fresh, vibrant, spicy, pure and yet another blast of citrus, which intrigues me. Fast forward to black fruits, chocolate and spice in the finish."

THE WINEADVOCATE: "The 2016 Capbern is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot aged for 18 months in 60% new and 40% one-year-old oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with cedar, blackberries and blueberries with wafts of tobacco, bay leaves and scorched earth. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and vibrant in the mouth, it possesses lovely poise and an earthy finish."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Although this wine is dense, it already has a charm to its richness and structure. That comes from the relatively high proportion of Merlot in the blend as well as the juicy fruit of the Cabernet. Made by the team of Calon-Ségur, the wine will develop relatively quickly, and should be ready to drink from 2023."