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

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

The restoration of the château, completed this spring, perfectly complements that of the winery and the modernization of the vineyard, restoring the property to its expected status as 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 a par with a premier grand cru classé. The estate belonged to the Capbern-Gasqueton family for over a century, and 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 vines outside the walls of the clos, offers a Saint-Estèphe with exceptional value for money.

Decanter

About wine:

This is a brilliant Calon Ségur, not to be missed. It is bursting with lush blackberries, plums, pure blackberries, and hints of bocage, which add a direct juiciness to this powerful and concentrated wine. The tannins are chewy and well-present, suggesting good aging potential. pH 3.8. Yield of 40 hl/ha. 100% new oak. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 2029-2048

Guide Hachette des vins

About wine:

As its deep red color with black highlights suggests, Calon 2019 lives up to the tradition of the vintage and appellation with its power. This power is evident on the nose, with intense and complex notes of blackcurrant, mocha, chocolate, and graphite. It is assertive yet controlled, prolonged by a full-bodied, concentrated, flavorful, very long, and very fresh palate, supported by taffeta tannins. 2028-2040

About the estate:

A noble house bearing the name of the parish of Saint-Estèphe in the Middle Ages (Calones), this cru 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 very attached: "I make wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is at Calon," said Nicolas-Alexandre. Backing onto the village of Saint-Estèphe, the vineyard, in a single block, entirely enclosed by a wall, covers 55 hectares, the same area as in the 1855 classification, planted on a thick layer of gravel resting on clay. Owned by the Gasqueton family from 1894 to 2012, Calon now belongs to Suravenir, a subsidiary of the Crédit Mutuel group, which has undertaken a vast 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 estate:

Acquired in 2012 after the death of Denise Gasqueton by the Suravenir insurance group, Calon-Ségur now has its sights set high and is investing heavily in achieving its goals. The estate, blessed with exceptional terroir, has proven in the past that it is capable of producing 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 is beginning to be found in the latest vintages. Vincent Millet, who came from Château Margaux, has been the technical director since 2006. His mission is to improve the quality of the wine by adopting a blending approach that is much more Cabernet Sauvignon-oriented. Given the highly successful recent vintages, Calon-Ségur is now establishing itself as one of the most interesting brands in the Médoc. As a result, demand continues to grow.

Vinous

About wine:

Calon Ségur 2019 is a wine of dizzying vertical intensity and pure power. That's the good news. The less 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 cannot even begin to convey the sheer beauty found in the glass. I loved the 2019 in barrel, and I love it just as much in bottle. 2029-2039

James Suckling

Terre de Vins

About wine:

There are wines for which we talk about tannic structure, but here it is a cathedral. In addition to the racy bouquet of cedar, blueberry, incense, and violet, it offers a high balance where richness is carried by freshness and minerality. A fabric of the finest silk.

Yves Beck

About wine:

The 2019 stands out for its expressiveness, not in terms of intensity, but rather in terms of subtlety. The wine reminds us how crucial freshness is to this vintage, coupled with power and richness. The wine is in great shape and promises a bright future, while remaining accessible. A delicious, dense, juicy, and persistent wine. It is brilliant in its freshness and vigor. What a great success. 2027-2050

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About wine:

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

Anthocyanes - Yohan Castaing

About wine:

Blueberry, blackcurrant, raspberry, a beautiful floral nose, iris, spicy, menthol with a hint of eucalyptus. What a bouquet in terms of aromatic complexity and freshness. Straightforward on the palate, very nice caressing mouthfeel, chiseled and fresh tannins. Crystalline texture. A very Cabernet-driven Calon Ségur with remarkable overall precision. Bravo!