Saint Estèphe

The slightly unexciting label disguises a wine with real Saint Estèphe character - the huge 'R' presumably for the owner René. A firm nose of pencil lead and a touch of cigar-box, and a firm fruit that seems to tell of authoritative Cabernet, this is dryly sophisticated, a 'g...(read more)

Dark and purple colour tells of the high Cabernet content and hints at the concentrated style. But just when you think this is going to have a touch of Saint Estèphe severity, it is instead all aromatic and almost floral. On the palate the terroir asserts itself - this is 'grown-up'...(read more)

The upswing in fortunes and class of this great little estate are crystal-clear, since the since its acquisition and serious investment by French property magnate Jacky Lorenzetti. In this 2014 release, the 2% Petit Verdot adds another dimension to this ample, full and satisfying claret. T...(read more)

A much more modern wine than anything produced when it was called Capbern Gasqueton. A big dense-fruit nose, a purple-fruit filled velvet punch, all very well-integrated. The front-end is incredibly impressive with all the dark berry fruit depth to the flavour. It takes its time to open up...(read more)

55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 3% Cabenret Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. We have been keen followers of the wines from this great terroir over the last few years. They have done a great job again here in 2014. Lovely aromatic nose, cassis and more brambly fruit. Great feel, quite broad, so...(read more)

Back when my bottle reports came out in 2003, I urged extreme patience for this wine, which is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc. I projected a maturity curve of 2012-2040, but based on this tasting, I would say the wine needs another 5-6 years, so call...(read more)

Fantastic fruit nose - very bright sweet cassis. More structured and serious than many young Ormes de Pez, roundly full in the mouth, yet keeping its freshness and expression. ‘Level of 2003’ say the Château. Fatter, sweeter and rounder than Lafon Rochet, for example, but without qui...(read more)