CHÂTEAU CAPBERN
2022 Saint Estèphe
52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. 60% new oak – will be matured for 18 months. 15% alc. 3.8 pH. 26 hl/ha This is a brilliant Capbern, and it continues a run of superb vintages for this wine under Vincent Millet’s steady hand. Despite the mighty 15% alcohol, this perfectly balanced wine packs so much flavour into this bottle. Expressive, juicy and singing with Merlot notes overlaying a deep Cabernet core, this is an exotic wine, and it could not be more different to the classy 2021 vintage, given its sheer exuberance! Amazingly silky and mouth-filling, behind the fantastic volume of fruit, there is invigorating freshness and crunch on the finish. Thumpingly juicy, beautifully satisfying and impeccably balanced, this is a triumphant vintage for Capbern. Rating: 17.5 Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (May 2023)
* This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.
This affordable estate always stands out as a good deal. This 2022 is the most ample, plush and concentrated vintage that we have tasted here. It nevertheless incorporates a good degree of finesse and a silky texture. Seriously made, this will evolve very well. Rating: 92-94 La Revue du Vin de France (May 2023)
The blend is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, with low yields again, 26 hl/ha, thanks principally to tiny Cabernet berries (the yield was 20 hl/ha on the Cabernets). This is very attractive, with dried blackcurrant, perfumed black cherry, currant and peony. The palate starts with a slightly dusty, powdery quality, with gently polished curranty fruits draped over a finely knit core of tannins, leading to a finish swirled with chocolate, currant and cranberry. This is quite charming, showing good restraint and freshness, and a fine powdery grip. I like the sense of intent the finish provides. The alcohol is 15% here, “the same as 2018” says Vincent Millet. The fruit profile is much fresher though. Well done. Rating: 90-92 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (May 2023)
53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Firm, structured and long on the finish. Plentiful tannins but polished and round. Oak a little too manifest at present, the finish drying, but should integrate. (JL) 15% Drinking range: 2029 - 2040 Rating: 16+ James Lawther MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (May 2023)
A firm and tight red with blackberry and currant character. Medium body. Bright and savory. Rating: 92-93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2023)
Notes of dark berries and cherries mingled with licorice and loamy soil introduce the 2022 Capbern, a medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy wine framed by ripe, powdery tannins and concluding with a long, somewhat heady finish. It's a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, picked between the 6th and 27th of September. Rating: 90-92 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2023)
The 2022 Capbern was cropped at 26hL/ha between 6 and 27 September, a 20-day cuvaison and matured in 60% new oak for a planned 18 months. The Cabernet Sauvignon berries were tiny this year, which underlies why the Merlot comprises a higher percentage of the blend. It has an airy, floral bouquet with blackberries, wild strawberries and a touch of raspberry confit. There's an almost Pinot-like purity. The palate is medium-bodied with a grippy, peppery entry, full-bodied and muscular at the moment. I'm seeking a bit more grace here - perhaps this Saint-Estèphe is slightly over-revving on the finish? Drinking range: 2027 - 2047 Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2023)
Attractive inky ruby colour, sculpted slightly heady iris flowers on the aromatics, opens to damson fruits, cocoa bean, liquorice root, slate, clear concentration and a flash of heat. Harvest began on September 6, earliest ever seen here, through to September 27. 26hl/h yields. 60% new oak. Drinking range: 2026 - 2038 Rating: 91 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Apr 2023)
Château Capbern
The Gasqueton family of Calon Segur also own this excellent estate situated south of the town of St Estephe, between the vineyards of Montrose and Phelan Segur.
Please make sure that you have read the terms of this offer which are different from those on the main website. If you are unclear as to what is involved in primeur purchases please do contact our private client team via email or on 020 7018 0187.
Ordering
Prices are all in bond by the case size stated.
Pre-Orders are a firm commitment to buy wines on release, as long as the release price is within the upper and lower price bands set by you on the pre-order form. Pre-orders will be fulfilled subject to availability but providing this firm commitment to buy effectively gives you priority and is a good idea for the most desirable wines.
Wines listed on the website can be ordered in the usual way via the website wishlist order form. You can also send orders directly to our private client team via email. Please note that, for the most sought-after wines, priority will be given to those who ordered the same wines last year and to those that have pre-ordered.
Confirmation
All orders will be confirmed by email and are binding unless written cancellation is received within seven days of email confirmation. Pre-orders are not binding if the release price is above your upper price band.
Invoices are all raised at the in bond price (excluding any duty and VAT) which will become payable at the prevailing rates when the wines arrive in the UK, should you wish to take duty paid delivery.
Payment is required on sight of invoice, by cash, cheque, debit card or bank transfer. We regret we cannot accept credit cards for en primeur orders. We reserve the right to apply a dunning charge of 2% per month on invoices unpaid after 30 days.
Delivery
- Shipment to our bond (at LCB Creek Road) and insurance are included in the in bond price.
- Delivery is free to Lea and Sandeman / Elephant storage accounts, both duty paid and in bond.
- Other deliveries (In Bond and Duty Paid) are also free subject to a minimum order from the offer of £500. Orders below this total will be charged an administration and handling fee of £16.50+ VAT when invoices are issued. We will group deliveries and this is a charge for your entire purchases, not a per-case charge.
- Delivery of 2024 Bordeaux bought en primeur is expected during 2026. Delivery dates may vary as wines are shipped from Bordeaux at different times.
Practical notes - how it works
We start a sale in each customer's name and add all their primeur orders to one sale which is invoiced at the end of the campaign (or when the customer wishes). Immediate payment of invoices is then required by cash, cheque, debit card or bank transfer. We and our customers find that having a single invoice for the vintage is the simpler option but please note that confirmed orders are still binding even if the final invoice has not yet been issued.
Please specify on your wishlist order form where you would like the wines shipped on arrival in the UK. If this is to a third-party bonded warehouse, please specify the relevant account details. If the wines are required duty-paid we will issue a second invoice for duty and VAT at the prevailing rate when the wines are available for delivery.
Half-bottles, Magnums and larger bottles.
One of the additional advantages of buying en primeur is being able to order the wine in the format you want. While most of our listings are for 75cl bottles, we can source wines in any format that is offered by the Château. Please note that format requests cannot be changed once wines have been invoiced. Additional charges for special formats do apply and are as follows:-
- +£18.00 per case of 12 half-bottles
- +£30.00 per case of 24 half-bottles
- +£7.50 per case of 3 Magnums (2 bottles equivalent, 1.5 litres each)
- +£11.00 per case of 6 Magnums
- +£45.00 per individually boxed Double Magnum (4 bottles equivalent, 3 litres)
- +£60.00 per individually boxed Imperial (8 bottles equivalent, 6 litres) for Salmanazars, Balthazars, Nebuchadnezzars and Melchiors please enquire for availability and price.
Storage Options:
Wines bought en primeur won't arrive in the UK until 2026. If you do not wish to take home delivery at that point, you may wish to consider where you would like the wines shipped. Lea & Sandeman offers duty paid and in bond storage through a dedicated storage company called Elephant Storage. For more details on the terms and fees associated with storage please go to our Storage Homepage or contact our private client team for more information.