Le Marquis de Calon Ségur Saint-Estèphe 2018 - Second vin

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

A wine with a beautifully velvety texture, truly flavorful fruit, refined tannins, and a suppleness that belies the wine’s intensity; it has a fresh finish—delicious.

About the estate:

The restoration of the château, completed this spring, beautifully complements the renovation of the wine-making facility and the revitalization of the vineyard, restoring the estate to the grandeur befitting the town’s seigneurial 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 wine—produced from the vines outside the estate’s walls—offers a Saint-Estèphe with exceptional value for money.

Guide Hachette des vins

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. Nestled against the village of Saint-Estèphe, the vineyard—a single, contiguous block 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 an extensive renovation program, including the construction of a new fermentation tank.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Deep purple-black in color, it exudes opulent aromas of Indian spices, menthol, and plum jam, with a heart of blackcurrant cream, cooked cherries, and raspberry tart, as well as a hint of sandalwood. Grand, rich, full-bodied, and voluptuously fruity on the palate, it reveals an abundance of black fruit jams and exotic spices with a firm, opulent structure. It finishes with a long, lingering aftertaste featuring a hint of mint. Definitely a wine for hedonists!

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 is now setting its sights very high and is taking all necessary steps 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, these wines possess, at their best, extraordinary density and elegance—qualities that are beginning to reemerge in the most recent vintages. Vincent Millet, who came from Château Margaux, has served as 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 intriguing labels in the Médoc. As a result, demand continues to rise.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Château Calon Ségur's second wine is sumptuous and intensely dense, with black plum flavors supported by velvety tannins and acidity. It displays power and good aging potential. Ready to drink starting in 2026.

Vinous

About the wine:

The 2018 Marquis de Calon Ségur, Calon Ségur’s second wine, is breathtakingly beautiful. Brilliant, powerful, and impactful, this 2018 has so much to offer. Expressive floral notes and the savory, spicy aromas of Cabernet add nuance to a core of dark red fruits and purplish berries. Beautifully textured and inviting, this Marquis is truly dazzling in 2018. Tasted four times.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Plenty of blackcurrant and blackberry aromas with hints of black truffles and mushrooms. It is medium-bodied with a lovely core of fresh fruit and a savory finish. A hint of wet earth. Calon Ségur’s second wine. Best enjoyed after 2025.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Far better in the bottle than in the barrel, it’s hard to believe this is a second wine. The nose, with notes of spice, smoke, tobacco leaves, and red berries, unfolds effortlessly. But it’s the palate that steals the show, with all its supple, lush, fresh, juicy, vibrant, and pure red berry flavors.