Capbern Gasqueton 2010

The 2010 Capbern Gasqueton is a wine that I never tasted en primeur. It has a very intense bouquet with blackberry, tobacco, dried blood and loamy aromas that vie for attention, all served up with impressive delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, a lovely rondeur here that counterbalances the structure of the vintage. Gentle grip, good body and backbone with plenty of stuffing on the finish, this is an excellent long-term and delicious Saint-Estèphe. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal. Drink 2021 - 2040.

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

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Capbern needs a little coaxing to reveal notes of redcurrant jelly, prunes and baked blackcurrants with hints of black tea, pencil lead, cedar chest and spice cake. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers lovely freshness and ripe, grainy tannins, well-framing the elegant red and black fruit preserves, finishing spicy. 2020 - 2038

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…)

This 38 hectare property in Saint Estephe is owned and managed by the Gasqueton family of Calon Segur. 26 are in production and the average age of the vines is 20 years old. This 2010 is made from 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot. 14% Alcohol. This is the first vintage to be vinified in the new cellars built just behind the church in St.Estephe. This is a great little wine and seems to get better each year. Good purity of fruit (again like the Grand Vin) with blackberry, blueberry and a touch of damson. There is also a hint of mocha. Very smooth and integrated tannins and the wine is balanced with requisite acidity. On the palate and finish it seemed a little tight now, but will open out in time. The finish is suitably long. If this remains at the same price it'll be a bargain of the vintage.

There is some sweet fruit on the nose backed by the fragrance of violets. Red fruits show on the palate giving a lovely vibrant freshness with sweeter black fruits filling out the mid and back palate. The finish is fresh slightly rustic but with good length.

Lovely cassis nose, smoothness of texture and weight, a polished and classy wine. Drink 2016-26.