| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Estèphe |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This classic château has one of the greatest terroirs of Bordeaux. Those who tasted the wines made here in the late 1940s and 1950s will know that the potential of Calon is huge. Since the sale of this 55 hectare property to French insurance company Suravenir by the Gasqueton family, there has been huge investment in - and modernisation of - the wine-making facilities. There's also been much work done in the vineyards. Quality is now right back to top "super-second" levels. The vineyard is planted with 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Calon Ségur now vies with Montrose and Cos d'Estournel for the title of top Saint Estèphe, but retains a more reasonable pricing structure for the outstanding quality it delivers.
In 2025 there is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. 100% new oak as usual for 20 months. The grand vin will be made from 60% of the production with rest "Marquis de Calon" and a third wine too. The grand vin has the second highest percentage of Cabernet in the blend ever. 13.6% ABV. Yield 35 hl/ha. They believe this to be like "an elegant and fresher version of the 2010."
A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2025 Calon-Ségur offers up a deep and incipiently complex bouquet of dark berries, rose petals and violets, framed by a deft touch of new oak. Full-bodied, deep and layered, with terrific energy, abundant but ultra refined tannins and a long, penetrating finish, it checks in at a very classically proportioned 13.6% alcohol and pH of 3.6.
The 2025 Calon Ségur contains just a little more Merlot this year at 17%, though it is still dominated by the 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked between September 4 and 20 over 15 days at 35 hl/ha. It represents 65% of the estate's total production this year. As usual, this is matured entirely in new French oak for a planned 20 months. This has immense clarity and precision on the nose, blackberry and cedar, a little sous-bois, beautifully delineated and more elegant than some recent vintages. The new wood is folded in and barely noticeable even at this early juncture. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy, slightly chalky tannins on the entry. There is quite a conspicuous marine/estuarine element with hints of Japanese nori infusing the black fruit, almost briny in style…I like that. It gives this Calon personality and bandwidth. Classical in style and lower alcohol at 13.6% compared with recent releases (the 2022 was 14.5%), this has a very promising future. Drinking Window
2032 - 2060
This year's Calon is quite hard to read from barrel. Deep ruby in colour with wild, brambly fruit that spills over in excess on the nose with its concentrated sweetness. The palate is full, rich and chewy, seductive in fruit but bold in tannins in a way that makes the fruit shy on the finish. This feels like a serious, structured wine with real potential, but it needs to come together in barrel. Long with bramble fruit and salted liquorice on the finish.
Aromas of ripe black currants, yet menthol and other fresh herbs come through. Medium body, with firm and slightly chewy tannins and a savory finish. Plenty going on here. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.
The most firmly constructed wine of the Calon stable of course, but it still delivers the combination of finesse and concentration that is typical of the best wines in 2025. Much more graphite and slate on the texture of this main wine, this is one of the wines that really showcases the highest potential of the vintage, and it is an exceptional Calon. So layered, iris bud, cassis, crushed violet flowers, espresso and cocoa bean. A slow unroll. 100% new oak. 3.6 pH. Yield 35 hl/ha, Harvest September 4 to 20. 2034-2048
The 2025 Calon Ségur is a total head-turner. Aromatic and structured, the 2025 hits all the right notes. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2025 is packed with intense fruit and equally potent tannins that will need a decade to soften. This is a big, big wine. Here, too, the aromatics are so present, with lingering notes of dried herb, crushed rose petal and mint. 2035-2065
