Marquis de Calon 2014 - Second vin du Château Calon Ségur

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

The restoration of the château, completed this spring, beautifully complements the renovation of the wine cellar and the revitalization of the vineyard, restoring the estate to the grandeur befitting the town’s stately estate, majestically enclosed within its walls. A highly skilled team is making the most of this exceptional terroir, now producing wines on par with those of a Premier Grand Cru Classé. The estate belonged to the Capbern-Gasqueton family for over a century; since 2012, it has been owned by the insurance company Suravenir. Even more so than the second wine, Marquis-de-Calon, the Capbern estate—produced from the vines outside the walls of the enclosed vineyard—offers a Saint-Estèphe with exceptional value for money.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

In the second wine, the ratio of Merlot to Cabernet Sauvignon is reversed, as is often the case. The first wine, which generally ripens earlier, takes precedence over the second. While lacking the power of its older sibling, this wine is very pleasant, with an elegant bouquet of fruit and oak and a lovely structure of well-integrated tannins.

About the estate:

A noble estate bearing the name of the parish of Saint-Estèphe in the Middle Ages (Calones), this vineyard is one of the oldest in the region. Between 1659 and 1681, it passed into the hands of the Ségur family, who developed this vineyard to which they were deeply attached: “I make wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is at Calon,” said Nicolas-Alexandre. Backed by the village of Saint-Estèphe, the vineyard—a single, contiguous plot entirely enclosed by a wall—covers 55 hectares, the same area as at the time of the 1855 classification, planted on a thick layer of gravel resting on clay. Owned by the Gasqueton family from 1894 to 2012, Calon is now owned by Suravenir, a subsidiary of the Crédit Mutuel group, which has undertaken a major renovation program, including the construction of a new fermentation cellar.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the wine:

Dark fruits (blackberries), a treat for the palate with a structured, straightforward profile and firm, well-defined tannins. A Marquis that is deliberately charming and smooth, yet retains the terroir’s austerity.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Acquired in 2012 by the Suravenir insurance group following the death of Denise Gasqueton, Calon-Ségur now has its sights set high and is pulling out all the stops to achieve its goals. The estate, blessed with exceptional terroir, has demonstrated in the past its ability to produce wines that rank among the greatest Médocs. Very tight, firm, and slow to develop, at their best they possess an extraordinary density and elegance, which we are beginning to see again in the latest vintages. Vincent Millet, who came from Château Margaux, has been the technical director since 2006. His mission: to elevate the estate’s quality by adopting a blending approach that places much greater emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon. Given the truly outstanding recent vintages, Calon-Ségur has now established itself as one of the most compelling labels in the Médoc. Consequently, demand continues to rise.

Vinous

James Suckling

About the wine:

Aromas of blackberries, mushrooms, and flowers give way to round, juicy tannins and a savory finish. Notes of bitter orange are also present. Best enjoyed starting in 2020.

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

Calon-Ségur's second wine is predominantly Merlot (64%), which gives it richness and power. 14.7% ABV. A full-bodied wine with powerful tannins that will need to mellow.