| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Estèphe |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This classic Chateau has one of the greatest terroirs of Bordeaux. Quality in the past has been good but a little variable. However, en primeur prices were always reasonable - especially so in comparison to those of traditional rivals and neighbours Cos d'Estournel and Montrose. The property has recently been sold to a French insurance company - Suravenir. Manager Laurent Dufau has over-seen much modernisation of the wine-making facilities.
An enticing nose oscillating between pure black fruit and fine spices that becomes more floral in character after airing and refreshed by minty notes. This is a wine of remarkable finesse thanks to the harmonious proportions of its tannic and acidic architecture that shapes its juicy substance. This is a vintage marking a change of style towards more precision and purity, as well as finesse, without losing the essential aging capacity that should impart even more delicacy to this outstanding wine.
Deep garnet in color, the 2016 Calon Segur prances out with showy notes of blackcurrant cordial, blackberry preserves, and ripe boysenberries, plus suggestions of licorice, candied violets, and spice cake with a touch of charcuterie. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is jam packed with black fruit preserves and spicy layers, supported by ripe, velvety tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and perfumed.
Superb aromas of crushed berries, violets and sandalwood with hints of cedar and roses. Full body, very fine tannins and savory, delicious fruit. Vibrant acidity combines beautifully with the fruit and structure. Harmonious and attractive. Fine-toned. Try after 2024.
A monumental wine in the making, the 2016 Château Calon-Ségur is blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot that spent a full 20 months in all new French oak. It offers an incredibly powerful, concentrated, classic style in its crème de cassis, graphite, scorched earth, tobacco, and lead pencil aromas and flavors. These give way to an inky, full-bodied 2016 that has perfectly integrated acidity and tannins, subtle background oak, thrilling depth and purity of fruit, and a great, great finish. My money is on it being the greatest wine ever made at this address. Although it shines even today on its purity and balance, it needs 5-7 years of bottle age to hit prime time and will keep for three to four decades. 2024 - 2064.
The 2016 Calon-Ségur has a very concentrated, multifaceted bouquet of blackberry, blueberry, cedar and wild mint. I adore this – so involving and so intoxicating! The palate is very well balanced with succulent tannins and a fine bead of acidity, full of tension and poise. Black cherry and blueberry emerge toward the satisfying, complete finish. A gorgeous Saint-Estèphe. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting. 2023 - 2055
Pure liquid velvet, sings of restrained elegance. Inky plum in colour, full intensity, with decades ahead of it, signature St Estèphe power and character. Damson, black cherry, olive tapenade, liquorice, slate, earth, closing in on bitter almond and dark chocolate on the finish. Harvest 27 September to 16 October. Strongly suggest that you leave this open for a good few hours before tasting if going anywhere near it soon (we had it in a carafe for four hours before serving). 100% new oak, with just 35% of production in the grand vin because so much replanting had been done over the previous decade.
18% Cabernet Franc.
Tasted blind. Dark glowing blackish crimson. Quite big and brawny on the nose – certainly attention grabbing! Remarkably approachable even though it clearly has ageing potential. All the elements are there and shining brightly. Very vigorous finish that goes on and on.
Drink 2025 – 2045
The nose is firm the start of the palate tight but there is mid richness sweeter richer black fruits. The tannins are surrounded by rich black fruits firm but integrated and the finish has fair depth of flavour concentration yet freshness.
2027-45
Maybe it’s taken a vintage or two for the new installations to bed in at Calon, because this is a superb expression of the estate that’s as good as anything I’ve tasted from Vincent Millet. The high percentage of Cabernet Franc gives the wine remarkable lift and perfume, adding top notes to the structured, savoury, dark-fruited core. 2024-36
The 2016 Calon Ségur was matured entirely in new oak for 20 months and bottled at the end of July 2018. This was one of the most impressive wines from the estate when I tasted it from barrel. Now in bottle, it has a gorgeous bouquet of beautifully defined blackberry, bilberry, dark chocolate and graphite aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, perhaps suppler than Cos d’Estournel and more velvety in terms of texture. A dash of cracked black pepper and allspice appears toward the finish, which fans out gloriously. A brilliant wine from François Millet and his team. Drink 2023-2055.
The 2016 Calon-Ségur is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot aged in 100% new French oak for 20 months. Deep garnet-purple colored, it is a little closed to begin, slowly revealing warm red and black currants, kirsch and plum preserves with wafts of fragrant earth, violets, chocolate box and wood smoke. Medium to full-bodied, elegantly expressed and finely crafted, it has a wonderfully fine-grained texture and bold freshness supporting the densely packed black fruits, finishing long and mineral-laced. 2021 - 2045
The 2016 Calon Segur is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot cropped at 42 hectoliters per hectare between 29 September and 15 October (finishing with the Cabernets and the Petit Verdot). Notice that Cabernet Franc, which excelled not just here but around Saint Estèphe in this vintage, given that there was not a drop in the 2015. It has a very elegant bouquet, very pure with small macerated black cherries, blueberry, a hint of licorices and juniper berries, all effortlessly detailed and exuding what I term "controlled opulence." The palate is medium-bodied with a sense of symmetry on the entry, the acidity very well judged and the tannins far less rustic than the Calon-Ségurs of old. What I like about this Calon-Ségur is that it could not come from anywhere apart from Saint Estèphe: that structure, that obduracy counterbalanced by the opulence bestowed by the growing season. There is freshness locked in here from start to finish, with a subtle tang of seaweed and black pepper on the long aftertaste. For me this is a serious step up from the 2015, and the structure augurs a Calon-Ségur destined to last as long as those legendary wines from the 1920s and 1940s. Chapeau to winemaker Vincent Millet and estate director Laurent Dufau. This is easily the best Calon-Ségur that I have tasted from barrel. Drink date 2026-2060.
Wow. This is the Calon we have been waiting for! Intensity and power. Chewy and polished tannins. Full body, great depth. It goes on for minutes. Shows a classic, historical character that really excites me. The essence of this estate and St.-Estèphe. Best ever?
Pure liquid velvet, sings of restrained elegance. Inky plum in colour, full intensity, with decades ahead of it, signature St Estèphe power and character. Damson, black cherry, olive tapenade, liquorice, slate, earth, closing in on bitter almond and dark chocolate on the finish. Harvest 27 September to 16 October. Strongly suggest that you leave this open for a good few hours before tasting if going anywhere near it soon (we had it in a carafe for four hours before serving). 100% new oak, with just 35% of production in the grand vin because so much replanting had been done over the previous decade.
An extremely complete and well balanced vintage for Calon Ségur that shows how, with the right levels of acidity, tannin and depth of fruit, even 100% new oak can melt away. This is one of the signs of a great vintage and we have it here in spades. Great definition on the darkly spiced palate, with powerful cassis, liquorice, mint and violets that are dense yet feathery, with chalky tannins that need time to bed in. I love that the tannins are extremely high (80IPT) but not upfront, helped by a pH of 3.6. Just 35% of production made it into the grand vin because so much replanting was done back in 2006, although this should ramp up as the vines mature - they believe the potential is for 70% grand vin. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
Drinking Window 2027 - 2050
Rich, deep, glowing purplish crimson. Pungent and really interesting and layered on the nose already. Creamy texture and massive energy. Lots of tannin but all beautifully balanced. This is seriously intriguing rather than just ticking boxes. Glows on the end. Old-vine influence – really gives layers and intrigue. Sweetness of tannin. But the freshness really lifts it. 14%
Drink 2028-2055
