Château Calon Segur
AOC Saint-Estèphe
3rd Growth
Calon Ségur, whose wine-growing history dates back to the 12th century, is most certainly one of those places which emanate a special poetry and magic.
The estate is one of the oldest in the Médoc.
Château Calon Ségur, the grand vin, is a mirror image of the estate. Rare and moving to taste, it embodies that delicate balance between gentleness and intensity. It concentrates all our attention.
The heart we can see on the bottle, which has been the symbol of the Calon Ségur estate since the 18th century, echoes the famous words of the Marquis de Ségur, who said that he “made wine at Lafite and Latour” but considered “his heart was at Calon”.
Situation
Covers 55 hectares
Grape varieties
65 % cabernet sauvignon, 20 % merlot, 15 % cabernet franc
Soil
Gravelly and hilly terrain
Ageing
18 to 20 months in 100% new barrels
Available Vintages
Alcohol
12,5°
Blending
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc
Description
Powerful with racy and harmonious aromas, ripe fruit, undergrowth, spices. Mouth is ample, fleshy, very good balance and a very good length.
Tasting
“I suspect this 2001 will shut down (as most young Calon-Segurs do), although it appears more forward and evolved than the huge, backward, but totally dormant 2000. The plum/ruby-colored 2001 reveals aromas of damp earth, cranberries, cherries, herbs, and forest floor. While lighter than its older sibling, it is medium-bodied, elegant, and should emerge from its post-bottling sleep in 4-5 years, and drink well for 14-15.” – Wine Advocate
Alcohol
13°
Blending
53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 7% Cabernet franc, 2% Petit verdot
Description
The vintage produces a high quality wine, marked by the finesse and elegance, signature of the property. The balance between exceptional intensity and great softness is respected, the wine is full of tannins and finesse at the same time, a texture is both caressing and dense. Château Calon Ségur 2005 presents pleasant aromas of black fruits (black cherry in particular), touches of chocolate, spices, dried fruits and even leather.
Tasting
“Tasted from an ex-château bottle at BI Wine & Spirits Calon-Segur dinner in London, the 2005 Calon Segur is on par with the wonderful 2000. The only real difference is that this needs more time in bottle. It has a captivating nose: blackberry and boysenberry fruit coming at you at full pelt; dried blood and bacon fat developing as secondary aromas just behind. There is fine delineation here – an underlying minerality sure to surface with time. The palate is very intense and disarmingly youthful, almost ferrous on the entry with layers of ripe black fruit that segue into an earthy finish (with a curious light tang of Marmite on the aftertaste!). It is a fabulous Calon Ségur, though the millennial wine might ultimately possess greater precision.” – Wine Advocate
Alcohol
14°
Blending
53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 7% Cabernet franc, 2% Petit verdot
Tasting
“Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Calon-Ségur opens with herbal wafts of bay leaves and bouquet garni over a core of warm redcurrants, black cherry compote and warm cassis with touches of damp soil and moss-covered tree bark. The medium to full-bodied palate has firm, chewy tannins and lively acid supporting the herb-laced fruit, finishing a little hard and tart.” – Wine Advocate
“This is an architectural wine, very classical in its structure like so many of the top wines of 2010. It’s powered by ripe tannins and beautiful black currant fruits. While the wine is gorgeously ripe, it also has a powerful dark and structured character. For long-term aging.” – Wine Enthousiaste
Alcohol
13°
Blending
Cabernet Sauvignon 76%, Merlot 13%, Cabernet Franc 9% and Petit Verdot 2%
Description
This 2017 vintage offers wines with great freshness and a very delicate touch on the palate. The tannins are silky and refined.
Tasting
“Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Calon-Ségur features warm plums, cassis, baked cherries and mulberries, earth, meats and cedar on the nose with notes of lavender and olives. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant and intense with firm, fine-grained tannins and great length, finishing minerally. This wine was aged in 100% new French oak barrels for 20 months.” – Wine Advocate
