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

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.

Decanter

About the wine:

This is a brilliant Calon Ségur that is a must-try. It is bursting with lush wild berries, plums, pure blackberries, and hints of the countryside, which lend a direct juiciness to this powerful and concentrated wine. The tannins are chewy and well-defined, suggesting excellent aging potential. pH 3.8. Yield of 40 hl/ha. 100% new oak. 1% Petit Verdot rounds out the blend. 2029–2048

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

True to its deep red color with black highlights, the 2019 Calon lives up to the tradition of the vineyard and the appellation with its power. This power is evident on the nose through intense and complex notes of blackcurrant, mocha, chocolate, and graphite. It is a bold yet controlled power, extended by a full-bodied, concentrated, flavorful, and very long finish—one that is also very fresh, supported by velvety tannins. 2028–2040

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.

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

About the wine:

The 2019 Calon Ségur is a wine of dizzying intensity and pure 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 a few of the nuances that unfold in the glass, but these descriptions can’t even begin to capture the sheer beauty found within. I loved the 2019 in barrel, and I love it just as much in the bottle. 2029–2039

James Suckling

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

There are wines described as having tannic structure; this one is a veritable cathedral. Beyond its elegant bouquet of cedar, blueberry, incense, and violet, it offers a superb balance where richness is carried by freshness and minerality. A texture of the finest silk.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The 2019 vintage stands out for its expressiveness, not so much in terms of intensity as in terms of subtlety. The wine reminds us just how crucial freshness is to this vintage, combined with power and richness. The wine is in top form and promises a bright future, while remaining approachable. A delicious, dense, juicy, and persistent wine. It sparkles with freshness and vigor. What a great success. 2027–2050

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Power, purity, complexity, and richness combine to deliver astonishing levels of intensity, length, and freshness. The depth of the fruit is almost extraordinary. With a nearly opaque color, the wine stands out for its notes of spice, blackberries, black plums, blackcurrant, mint, espresso, and tobacco leaves. Perfectly balanced and rich, the tannins are polished and refined, making this beauty very approachable. It 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 beautiful floral nose with notes of iris, spice, and a hint of menthol and eucalyptus. What a bouquet—rich in aromatic complexity and freshness. The palate is straightforward, with a lovely, caressing mouthfeel and crisp, fresh tannins. Crystal-clear texture. A very Cabernet-driven Calon Ségur with remarkable overall precision. Bravo!