Chateau Cap de Faugeres 2012

Deep ruby. Ripe, fresh, pure black fruit(plums, blackberry) with the full spectrum of secondary(tobacco, vanilla) and tertiary(leathery, smoke) tones. Intense for the class. Bodied and rich for a Cotes de Castillon with ABV14% still balanced. A modern, 'tephan von Neipperg' style.

Making is new as well. Cold soaked for five days(hence the structure and acidities), with thirty days of Stainless steel fermentation and fruit unmasked. New barrels ageing for 12 months; therefore, the spicy, aromatic, modern style with structure and adequate length. Mostly earlier picking to give freshness.

The 46-hectare vineyard of Chateau Cap de Faugeres is planted to 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, typical of that part of the Right Bank. The vineyard has a vine density of 6,000 vines per hectare. On average, the vines are 30 years of, but some vines are older, at close to 50 years of age. The terroir is limestone and clay soils.

Down-to-earth comments are as follows:

WS91

Wine Spectator

Features a solid core of plum, licorice and sweet toast. A direct style.

RP91

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

IThe 2018 Cap de Faugères is composed of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon; harvest began on September 22. Deep garnet-purple coloured, it opens with intense scents of preserved plums, kirsch, chocolate box and menthol with hints of woodsmoke and Indian spices. Full-bodied, rich and voluptuously fruited in the mouth, the palate has a velvety texture and plenty of red fruit sparks of freshness, finishing spicy.