CHÂTEAU CAPBERN GASQUETON

Pure, inviting cassis fruit. Glossy and juicy even though it is fully structured. Deliciously fresh and bright. Lots of pleasure. 2015-2023 Rating: 16.5 Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2012)

Blessed with some excellent vineyards as well as an ambitious owner in Mme Denise Gasqueton of Calon-Ségur, it shouldn’t surprise us that this is so good. But it may well be the bargain of the vintage: sexy, fleshy and supple, with notes of sandalwood, cassis and blackberry, firmed up by fine tannins. 8+ years Rating: 94 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (May 2011)

Composed of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot, this is one of the Gasqueton family’s finest efforts to date (although the 2009 was also very good). The dark ruby/purple-tinged 2010 exhibits plenty of delicious red and blackberry fruit, medium body and more size and substance than most past vintages. It should drink well for a decade or more. 2011-2021 Rating: 87-89 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (May 2011)

(a 73/27 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot; 3.75 ph; 14% alcohol) Dark ruby. Perfumed, floral aromas of black cherry, violet and lavender. Enters bright and fruity, with savory black cherry and blackcurrant flavors, then turns increasingly tight and austere on the back, finishing with slightly astringent tannins and persistent, pure black fruit flavors. Though this is a little tannic at present, there's enough fruit here to allow for optimism: after an excellent 2009, this is yet another very good Capbern-Gasqueton. That it's taken very seriously by the staff at Calon-Segur, which owns this property, can be inferred from the 80% new oak used to age this wine. Rating: 87-90 Ian d'Agata, www.vinousmedia.com (May 2011)

Lovely velvety tannins and chocolate, berry and toasted oak character. Full and round. Yummy depth of fruit. 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot. Rating: 90-91 James Suckling, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2011)

Lovely cassis nose, smoothness of texture and weight, a polished and classy wine. Drink 2016-26. Rating: ****17 Steven Spurrier (Apr 2011)

Only the second year this wine has been offered en primeur. A separate, very varied plot in which 26 of 37 ha have been planted. Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon but 30% Merlot, especially on a parcel of high limestone. In 2010 they built a new cuvier to improve Capbern in which each plot can be vinified separately. Lively deep crimson. Oddly, this seems fuller and sweeter than the 2009 – very punchy. Firm then furry tannins on the end and a big core of ripe fruit in the middle. Quite open and developed without that much acidity. He says he has already added 10% press wine. I found this a bit less energetic than the 2009. Good but not necessarily such a good buy (though of course we don’t know the prices yet…) 2015-2023 Rating: 16.5 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2011)

Tasted at Calon-Segur, this sample was taken from a new barrel, though it will be raised in 80% new oak. This is the first vintage to be vinified at the new cuverie and is a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot with the addition of 10% vin de presse. This has an attractive bouquet with brambly black fruits, a touch of hot slate and wild hedgerow. Very natural. The palate is medium-bodied with powdery tannins on the entry, good acidity and a lot of freshness on the finish, with notes of blackberry, wild strawberry and a touch of tobacco. What a great Saint Estephe! 2012-2022. Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2011)