Learn everything about Chateau Capbern St. Estephe, with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other Bordeaux wine producers: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles
Chateau Capbern Gasqueton History Overview
The start of the first age of the modern era for Chateau Capbern Gasqueton begins when the Left Bank vineyards were purchased by Georges Gasqueton in 1894. The estate took its name from two of its more famous owners, the Gasqueton and Capbern families. The Gasqueton family managed the estate until 2012.
Most recently, the figurehead of Chateau Capbern Gasqueton was the interestingly charming, albeit, eccentric Madame Denise Gasqueton. Madame Gasqueton managed the property while marching to the beat of her own drummer until she passed away at the age of 87 in late September 2011.
The following year, the second and current modern era for the chateau began July 2012 when Chateau Capbern Gasqueton and Chateau Calon were sold to the large French Insurance company, Suravenir Insurance. Jean-Pierre Moueix, the owner of Petrus and the massive negociant company Duclot, took a minority stake in Chateau Calon Segur and Chateau Capbern Gasqueton.
Starting with the 2013 vintage, they dropped the second part of their name and began selling their wine under the simpler name of just Chateau Capbern.
Since the new owners took over Chateau Capbern, they started a serious program of improving the winemaking at Chateau Capbern. While the owners began a complete renovation of the winemaking facilities at Calon Segur, that was not the case with Capbern Gasqueton, because the estate renovated their wine-making facilities in 2011.
One of the first moves the new owners made was to hire Laurent Dufau, who quickly turned things around. In 2014, Chateau Capbern Gasqueton produced the best wine in the history of the estate!
Chateau Capbern Vineyard, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking
The 33 hectare Medoc vineyard of Chateau Capbern is planted to 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. This shows a marked change in the vineyard, with more Merlot planted here.
The terroir is a mix of gravel, clay, and chalky soils. On average, the vines are close to 20 years of age. The vineyards are located in two different areas with slightly different terroirs. One part of the vineyard is situated not far from Calon Segur and Chateau Phelan Segur. The other section is closer to the Gironde river, close to Chateau Meyney.
However, the actual cellars and wine-making facilities are located in the village of Saint Estephe. The Medoc vineyards are located in two different areas with slightly different terroirs. One part of the vineyard is situated not far from Calon Segur. The other section is closer to the Gironde river.
Vinification takes place in stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tank. The wine is aged in close to 60% new, French oak barrels for 18 months. There is a second wine, Le Grand Village Capbern. On average, the production of Chateau Capbern is close to 10,000 cases per vintage.
The best vintages of Chateau Capbern are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2003 and 2000.
When to Drink Chateau Capbern, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time
Chateau Capbern can be enjoyed early. However, the wine is often better with at least a few years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. Chateau Capbern is usually best enjoyed in the first 10-17 years of life.
Young vintages can be decanted for 1 or so. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.
Serving Chateau Capbern with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips
Chateau Capbern is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. Chateau Capbern Gasqueton is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted braised, and grilled dishes.
Chateau Capbern is also good when served with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, pasta, and cheese.
Château Capbern-Gasqueton Wine Tasting Notes
15 Vintages 98,474 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating
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2023
Château Capbern (St. Estèphe)
Mint, tobacco leaf, cedar, cherries, and currants pop in the nose. The medium-bodied, refined, soft, forward, fruity-palate is going to provide delicious drinking on release. The wine blends 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. 14.6% ABV, 3.7 pH. Drink from 2026-2040. 92-94 Pts. 1,285 Views Tasted May 4, 2024 |
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2022
Château Capbern (St. Estèphe)
Spring mint, currants, black cherries, tobacco, and a touch of spice in the nose lead the way to the palate, which, even though the ABV is high, the fruits feel fresh, and lively, with no touch of heat. You find a nice touch of oceanic influence at the end of the finish. The wine blends 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. 15% ABV, 3.8 pH. Drink from 2026-2040. 92-94 Pts. 2,195 Views Tasted May 8, 2023 |
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2021
Château Capbern (St. Estèphe)
A tiny hint of espresso, flowers, Indian spices, and bright, red fruits in the nose open the wine. Medium-bodied, soft, vibrant and crisp, the red fruits have sweetness, lift, energy and a tint of spice, with a sprig of refreshing mint that comes in at the end of the finish. This will drink well young. Drink from 2025-2038. 751 Views Tasted Mar 9, 2024Flowers, spicy red berries and savory underbrush notes open the wine. Medium-bodied, soft, vibrant and crisp, with hints of spice and olives to accompany the red currants in the finish, this will drink well young. The wine is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, 12.8% ABV. Drink from 2024-2038. 89-91 1,658 Views Tasted May 20, 2022 |
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2020
Château Capbern (St. Estèphe)
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. 3,617 Views Tasted Mar 21, 2023Spicy, dark red berries, blackberry, savory herbs, cedar and cigar box open the nose. On the palate the wine is fleshy, rich, chewy and packed with ripe currants with peppery, savory herbs. There is length, freshness, complexity and character here. This a vineyard to keep an eye on as it getting better and better. The wine blends 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, 14.1% ABV. 92-94 Pts 6,590 Views Tasted May 20, 2021 |
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2019
Château Capbern (St. Estèphe)
Inky dark in color, the wine kicks off with layers of plushly-textured, dark red fruits, espresso, spice and round, polished tannins. The fruit-filled finish is lush, round and opulent with length and richness in the fruits. Clearly, this is a new level of quality for Capbern. Drink from 2024-2040. 4,188 Views Tasted Mar 29, 2022Spicy black raspberries, cassis and blackberry fruits with just a touch of oak, wet earth and forest leaf aromas on the nose smell great. On the palate, the wine is lush, round and opulently textured, with length and purity in the fruits. Clearly, this is a new level for Capbern. The wine is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, reaching 15.1% ABV. 92-94 Pts 7,884 Views Tasted Jun 8, 2020 |
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2018
Château Capbern (St. Estèphe)
Forest floor, tobacco leaf, wet earth, coffee bean, smoke, thyme and red currants open the wine. Medium-bodied, juicy, forward, bright and fresh, with a nice tangy note in the red currant finish, this is one of the better values in Left Bank Bordeaux todayl 3,234 Views Tasted Mar 9, 2021Ripe, medium-bodied, juicy, forward and already delicious, this is a fabulous vintage for Capbern that will be easy to drink on release. You'll find a nice depth of fruit and flavor here on the palate and in the finish. The wine was made from 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. 91-93 Pts 5,777 Views Tasted Apr 19, 2019 |
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2017
Château Capbern (St. Estèphe)
Alert, titillating, ripe and floral on the nose with a unique blend of earthy raspberries and cassis. Moving to the palate, the wine is medium bodied, the fruit is bright, sweet, crisp, crunchy and spicy. The blend was made from 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. 4,600 Views Tasted Apr 26, 2018 |
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2016
Château Capbern (St. Estèphe)
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. 6,966 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2017 |
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2015
Château Capbern (St. Estèphe)
Medium-bodied with black raspberries and cassis fruits from top to bottom. Polished, fresh and fruity, with a forward, early drinking character. 4,126 Views Tasted May 21, 2018Medium-bodied with a splash of tannin and a freshness of fruit on the mouth, this wine reveals dark, red fruits, espresso, herbs and olives. Made with a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and, for the first time, Petit Verdot was part of the mingle at 4%. Note, this is the second vintage with the, shortened name. 87 - 89 Pts 5,728 Views Tasted Apr 19, 2016 |
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2014
Château Capbern (St. Estèphe)
From the smoky fruits and softness in the tannins to the allure of the finish, there’s much to like about this polished, medium-bodied delight. Ripe and dark, this wine reached 14.2% ABV. 88-91 Pts 7,260 Views Tasted Apr 13, 2015 |
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2013
Château Capbern-Gasqueton (St. Estèphe)
Floral and light red berry aromas add a bit to this light, bright, red berry wine. There is not much depth here. 82-84 Pts 6,139 Views Tasted Apr 20, 2014 |
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2012
Château Capbern-Gasqueton (St. Estèphe)
Fresh, soft, forward, early drinking Medoc, with a gentle black cherry and spice filled character. 4,866 Views Tasted May 15, 2015 |
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2010
Château Capbern-Gasqueton (St. Estèphe)
Approachable, medium bodied, cherry and cassis dominated wine delivers an earthy, spicy, red berry finish. 6,473 Views Tasted May 7, 2014 |
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2009
Château Capbern-Gasqueton (St. Estèphe)
This turned out to be a gem! Fully mature, with the opulence you expect from 2009, the wine is medium-bodied, round, and packed with ripe, red berries and spice. Drink from 2022-2026. 2,927 Views Tasted Nov 1, 2022Black cherry, licorice, leaf and black raspberry notes, along with scents of espresso bean open this blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. Medium bodied, with slightly dusty tannins and a fresh, black cherry finish are found in this wine. It's aready fun to drink. 7,354 Views Tasted Aug 3, 2014 |
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2005
Château Capbern-Gasqueton (St. Estèphe)
Tart, light and bright, this crisp, red cherry earth and spice filled wine needs to be consumed if you like the wine as it's not going to get any better with more age. 4,856 Views Tasted Jul 7, 2015 |
