Château Calon Ségur Saint-Estèphe 2019 - 3ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

The restoration of the château, completed this spring, admirably complements that of the vat room and the updating of the vineyard, restoring the property to its long-awaited status as the commune's seigneurial cru, majestically enclosed within its walls. A formidably competent team has given this exceptional terroir every opportunity to produce wines on a par with a premier grand cru classé. The estate belonged to the Capbern-Gasqueton family for over a century, and since 2012 has been owned by the Suravenir insurance company. Even more so than the second wine, marquis-de-calon, the Capbern cru produced on vines outside the walls of the clos produces a Saint-Estephe with exceptional value for money.

Decanter

About the wine:

This is a brilliant Calon Ségur, a must-try. It's bursting with lush bramble fruit, plums, pure blackberries and hints of bocage, adding direct juiciness to this powerful, concentrated wine. The tannins are chewy and present, suggesting good ageing potential. 3.8 pH. Yield 40 hl/ha. 100% new oak. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 2029-2048

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

As its color suggests, a deep red with black highlights, Calon 2019 lives up to the tradition of the cru and the appellation with its power. This power is evident on the nose, with intense, complex notes of blackcurrant, mocha, chocolate and graphite. This power is assertive, but controlled, and prolonged by an ample, concentrated, tasty, very long and also very fresh palate, backed by taffeta-like tannins. 2028-2040

About the domain :

A noble house named after the medieval parish of Saint-Estèphe (Calones), this cru is one of the oldest in the region. Between 1659 and 1681, it passed into the hands of the Ségurs, who developed this vineyard to which they were very attached: "I make wine in Lafite and Latour, but my heart is in Calon", said Nicolas-Alexandre. Backing onto the village of Saint-Estèphe, the walled vineyard covers 55 ha, the same area as when it was classified in 1855, 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 embarked on an extensive renovation program, including the construction of a new vat room.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

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

About the domain :

Acquired in 2012 after the death of Denise Gasqueton, by the Suravenir insurance group, Calon-Ségur is now aiming very high, and is equipping itself with all the resources it needs to achieve this. The estate, with its exceptional terroir, has already demonstrated its ability to produce wines that rank among the greatest Medocs. Very tight, firm and long in the making, they possess, at their best, an extraordinary density and elegance, which we're beginning to see in recent vintages. Vincent Millet, from Château Margaux, has been Technical Director since 2006. His mission: to lead the cru towards greater quality, by adopting a blending approach that is much more marked by Cabernet Sauvignon. Given the success of recent vintages, Calon-Ségur has established itself as one of the Médoc's most interesting brands. As a result, demand continues to grow.

Vinous

About the wine:

Calon Ségur 2019 is a wine of dizzying vertical intensity and sheer power. That's the good news. The not-so-good news is that it won't be ready to drink anytime soon. Exotic spices, pencil shavings, crème de cassis, mocha and licorice are just some of the nuances that develop in the glass, but these descriptions can't even begin to capture the sheer beauty that lies within. I loved the 2019 in barrel and I love it just as much in bottle. 2029-2039

James Suckling

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

There are wines for which we speak of tannic structure, but this is a cathedral. In addition to its racy bouquet of cedar, blueberry, incense and violet, it delivers a high level of balance, where richness is carried along by freshness and minerality. A fabric of the finest silk.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The 2019 is distinguished by its demonstrative side, but not in terms of intensity, much more in terms of subtlety. The wine is a reminder of how freshness is a crucial element of the vintage, coupled with power and fatness. The wine is in great shape and heralds a bright future, while offering accessibility. The wine is delicious, dense, juicy and persistent. Brilliantly fresh and vigorous. What a great success. 2027-2050

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Power, purity, complexity and richness combine to offer astonishing levels of intensity, length and freshness. The depth of fruit is almost beyond compare. Almost opaque in color, the wine stands out for its spices, blackberries, black plums, cassis, mint, espresso and tobacco leaves. Perfectly balanced and rich, the tannins are polished and refined, making this beauty very approachable. This is a highly textured wine that is clearly one of the stars of the vintage. 2023-2060

Anthocyanes - Yohan Castaing

About the wine:

Blueberry, blackcurrant, raspberry, a lovely floral nose, iris, spicy, menthol, slightly eucalyptus. What a bouquet of aromatic complexity and freshness. Straightforward on the palate, very nice caressing touch, chiseled, fresh tannins. Crystalline texture. A very Cabernet Calon Ségur with remarkable overall precision. Well done!