Calon Segur 2019

St Estephe, Third Growth

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Tasting Notes
The 2019 Calon Ségur lacks the luster of Phélan-Ségur on the nose, though there is good concentration, black fruit commingling with melted tar and pencil box. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, fresh with pliant tannins, cohering nicely towards the finish that has ample flesh. Lovely texture with a persistent white pepper tinged finish. Not quite achieving the heights just after bottling, yet this Saint-Estèphe is heading in the right direction. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. Score: 94 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026-2050 01 February 2023
The 2019 Calon-Ségur, bottled in July 2021, has an alluring, very floral bouquet, the earlier crushed violet scents seemingly accentuated during the élevage. The palate is pure and poised, the fruit a little darker/blacker than I recall, and quite mineral-driven. There’s lovely acidity and precision here, and a touch of spice toward the harmonious finish. This is a superb wine from Vincent Millet and his team. Score: 96 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2027 - 2055 01 February 2022
The 2019 Calon Ségur was cropped at 40hl/ha between 25 September and 9 October, underwent a 20-day cuvaison and matured entirely in new oak from nine cooperages. Like the second wine, it is initially closed on the nose, yet all it needs is five minutes for the aromas to burst from the glass with raspberry, bilberry, crushed violet and freshly rolled tobacco. The palate is the smoothest that I have ever encountered at this stage, silky and refined, framing the pure black fruit infused with minerals. This 2019 is a step up from the previous vintage, a Calon Ségur with newfound elegance and wind in its sails. Bon vin. Score: 95 - 97 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2027 - 2055 01 June 2020
As to the Grand Vin, the 2019 Château Calon Ségur checks in as 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, brought up in new barrels. This full-bodied, spicy, complex, decadent beauty has building, polished tannins, terrific overall balance, and incredible aromatics of spiced red and black currants, lead pencil, cedary herbs, smoked tobacco, and flowery incense. Complex, ripe, and even sexy, it will need just 4-6 years to hit the early stages of its drink window and is going to cruise for 30 years if properly stored. It's another brilliant wine from this estate. Score: 97 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Maturity: 2026-2058 11 April 2022
Another tremendous wine from this estate, the 2019 Château Calon Ségur comes from 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and a tiny splash of Petit Verdot. Brought up all in new French oak, its ruby/purple color is followed by a ripe, sexy Saint-Estèphe loaded with notions of crème de cassis, black cherries, roasted herbs, lavender, and tobacco leaf. It shows more classic lead pencil and damp earth notes with time in the glass, and it's full-bodied, has a rocking opulence and decadence in its mouthfeel, sweet tannins, and a beautiful finish. This is as sexy and seductive as Saint-Estèphe gets, yet it still has class, with flawless balance, sound structure, and just everything in the right place. It's rare for a young wine to pack so much richness while at the same time staying weightless. Bravo to the team at Calon Ségur yet again. Score: 96 - 98 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com 30 June 2020
Vincent Millet (who can boast a doctorate in wine microbiology and who took up his post as Calon's technical director after a stint at Château Margaux) is doing everything right in terms of restructuring the estate's somewhat neglected vineyards with massal selections, higher density plantings, cover crops and precision viticulture. He's also cleaned up and modernized the winery. The 2019 Calon-Ségur shows the impact of some of those changes already, offering up a rich bouquet of crème de cassis, licorice, warm spices and subtle hints of cigar box, followed by a full-bodied, broad and fleshy palate that's deep and concentrated, with lively acids and beautifully refined tannins. All this is very impressive, but the fly in the ointment is an alcohol level that flirts with 15% and makes itself felt on the warm, liqueured finish. Balance isn't a matter of mere numbers, of course, but despite its admirable qualities and the serious work behind it, I do have reservations about this wine's ultimate equilibrium. Time will tell. The good news is that Millet is actively exploring viticultural strategies to mitigate high alcohol levels. Score: 93 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2025 - 2055 07 April 2022
The 2019 Calon Ségur is a wine of soaring vertical intensity and pure power. That's the good news. The not so good news is that it won't be ready to drink any time soon. Exotic spice, pencil shavings, crème de cassis, mocha and licorice are some of the nuances that develop in the glass, but those descriptions can't even begin to capture the sheer beauty of what is in the glass. I loved the 2019 from barrel and I love it just as much from bottle. Score: 98 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2029 - 2039 01 February 2022
A total knock-out, the 2019 Calon Ségur is shaping up to be truly epic. Rich, dense and explosive, the 2019 soars out of the glass with stunning intensity. Graphite, pencil shavings, crème de cassis, new leather, spice and chocolate infuse the 2019 with stunning intensity. The 2019 is looking to be a wine for the ages. Score: 96 - 98 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 18 June 2020
A total knock-out, the 2019 Calon Ségur is shaping up to be truly epic. Rich, dense and explosive, the 2019 soars out of the glass with stunning intensity. Graphite, pencil shavings, crème de cassis, new leather, spice and chocolate infuse the 2019 with stunning intensity. The 2019 is looking to be a wine for the ages. Score: 96 - 98 Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux 01 June 2020
Sweet cherries and berries with some walnuts and dried flowers, as well as notes of crushed stone, pine, currants and violets. Full-bodied and building gradually on the palate, with intense, polished tannins that are layered throughout the wine, providing well-toned muscle. The finish lasts for minutes. Quintessential Calon. Needs time to soften. Try after 2027. Score: 96 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2027+ 17 January 2022
A racy, refined red with a solid core of ripe fruit and a long, linear finish. Medium-to full-bodied and subtle, yet structured. Turns salty and spicy with some cloves. Builds on the finish. Score: 95 - 96 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 20 May 2020
Rich and silky in texture, full of ripe brambled fruits and powerfully concentrated tannins. Touch of reduction on the first nose that needs time to clear, lots to enjoy and it unquestionably makes an impression. Plenty of signature St Estèphe punch. Tasted twice. 40hl/ha yield, 100% new oak. Eric Boissenot consultant, Vincent Millet CEO and technical director. Score: 95 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2028-2048 12 January 2022
This is a brilliant Calon Ségur, absolutely one to search out. Dripping with lush brambled fruit, from ripe damsons to sleek blackberries and touches of hedgerow that add an unforced juiciness through what is a powerful and concentrated wine. The tannins are chewy and very much present, and this has great ageing potential ahead of it. 3.8pH. A yield of 40hl/ha. 100% new oak. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Score: 97 Jane Anson, Decanter.com Maturity: 2029 - 2048 09 June 2020
Displaying a very deep purple-black color, the 2019 Calon-Ségur strides confidently out of the glass with classic notes of warm cassis, blackberry preserves, pencil shavings and clove oil plus nuances of lilacs, cinnamon stick, chocolate box and menthol. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with tightly wound, muscular black fruits and loads of bright floral accents, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and graceful. Score: 95 - 97 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 18 June 2020

Tasting Notes

The 2019 Calon Ségur lacks the luster of Phélan-Ségur on the nose, though there is good concentration, black fruit commingling with melted tar and pencil box. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, fresh with pliant tannins, cohering nicely towards the finish that has ample flesh. Lovely texture with a persistent white pepper tinged finish. Not quite achieving the heights just after bottling, yet this Saint-Estèphe is heading in the right direction. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.

Score: 94

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026-2050 01 February 2023

The 2019 Calon-Ségur, bottled in July 2021, has an alluring, very floral bouquet, the earlier crushed violet scents seemingly accentuated during the élevage. The palate is pure and poised, the fruit a little darker/blacker than I recall, and quite mineral-driven. There’s lovely acidity and precision here, and a touch of spice toward the harmonious finish. This is a superb wine from Vincent Millet and his team.

Score: 96

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2027 - 2055 01 February 2022

The 2019 Calon Ségur was cropped at 40hl/ha between 25 September and 9 October, underwent a 20-day cuvaison and matured entirely in new oak from nine cooperages. Like the second wine, it is initially closed on the nose, yet all it needs is five minutes for the aromas to burst from the glass with raspberry, bilberry, crushed violet and freshly rolled tobacco. The palate is the smoothest that I have ever encountered at this stage, silky and refined, framing the pure black fruit infused with minerals. This 2019 is a step up from the previous vintage, a Calon Ségur with newfound elegance and wind in its sails. Bon vin.

Score: 95 - 97

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2027 - 2055 01 June 2020

As to the Grand Vin, the 2019 Château Calon Ségur checks in as 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, brought up in new barrels. This full-bodied, spicy, complex, decadent beauty has building, polished tannins, terrific overall balance, and incredible aromatics of spiced red and black currants, lead pencil, cedary herbs, smoked tobacco, and flowery incense. Complex, ripe, and even sexy, it will need just 4-6 years to hit the early stages of its drink window and is going to cruise for 30 years if properly stored. It's another brilliant wine from this estate.

Score: 97

Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Maturity: 2026-2058 11 April 2022

Another tremendous wine from this estate, the 2019 Château Calon Ségur comes from 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and a tiny splash of Petit Verdot. Brought up all in new French oak, its ruby/purple color is followed by a ripe, sexy Saint-Estèphe loaded with notions of crème de cassis, black cherries, roasted herbs, lavender, and tobacco leaf. It shows more classic lead pencil and damp earth notes with time in the glass, and it's full-bodied, has a rocking opulence and decadence in its mouthfeel, sweet tannins, and a beautiful finish. This is as sexy and seductive as Saint-Estèphe gets, yet it still has class, with flawless balance, sound structure, and just everything in the right place. It's rare for a young wine to pack so much richness while at the same time staying weightless. Bravo to the team at Calon Ségur yet again.

Score: 96 - 98

Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com 30 June 2020

Vincent Millet (who can boast a doctorate in wine microbiology and who took up his post as Calon's technical director after a stint at Château Margaux) is doing everything right in terms of restructuring the estate's somewhat neglected vineyards with massal selections, higher density plantings, cover crops and precision viticulture. He's also cleaned up and modernized the winery. The 2019 Calon-Ségur shows the impact of some of those changes already, offering up a rich bouquet of crème de cassis, licorice, warm spices and subtle hints of cigar box, followed by a full-bodied, broad and fleshy palate that's deep and concentrated, with lively acids and beautifully refined tannins. All this is very impressive, but the fly in the ointment is an alcohol level that flirts with 15% and makes itself felt on the warm, liqueured finish. Balance isn't a matter of mere numbers, of course, but despite its admirable qualities and the serious work behind it, I do have reservations about this wine's ultimate equilibrium. Time will tell. The good news is that Millet is actively exploring viticultural strategies to mitigate high alcohol levels.

Score: 93

William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2025 - 2055 07 April 2022

The 2019 Calon Ségur is a wine of soaring vertical intensity and pure power. That's the good news. The not so good news is that it won't be ready to drink any time soon. Exotic spice, pencil shavings, crème de cassis, mocha and licorice are some of the nuances that develop in the glass, but those descriptions can't even begin to capture the sheer beauty of what is in the glass. I loved the 2019 from barrel and I love it just as much from bottle.

Score: 98

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2029 - 2039 01 February 2022

A total knock-out, the 2019 Calon Ségur is shaping up to be truly epic. Rich, dense and explosive, the 2019 soars out of the glass with stunning intensity. Graphite, pencil shavings, crème de cassis, new leather, spice and chocolate infuse the 2019 with stunning intensity. The 2019 is looking to be a wine for the ages.

Score: 96 - 98

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 18 June 2020

Score: 96 - 98

Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux 01 June 2020

Sweet cherries and berries with some walnuts and dried flowers, as well as notes of crushed stone, pine, currants and violets. Full-bodied and building gradually on the palate, with intense, polished tannins that are layered throughout the wine, providing well-toned muscle. The finish lasts for minutes. Quintessential Calon. Needs time to soften. Try after 2027.

Score: 96

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2027+ 17 January 2022

A racy, refined red with a solid core of ripe fruit and a long, linear finish. Medium-to full-bodied and subtle, yet structured. Turns salty and spicy with some cloves. Builds on the finish.

Score: 95 - 96

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 20 May 2020

Rich and silky in texture, full of ripe brambled fruits and powerfully concentrated tannins. Touch of reduction on the first nose that needs time to clear, lots to enjoy and it unquestionably makes an impression. Plenty of signature St Estèphe punch. Tasted twice. 40hl/ha yield, 100% new oak. Eric Boissenot consultant, Vincent Millet CEO and technical director.

Score: 95

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2028-2048 12 January 2022

This is a brilliant Calon Ségur, absolutely one to search out. Dripping with lush brambled fruit, from ripe damsons to sleek blackberries and touches of hedgerow that add an unforced juiciness through what is a powerful and concentrated wine. The tannins are chewy and very much present, and this has great ageing potential ahead of it. 3.8pH. A yield of 40hl/ha. 100% new oak. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

Score: 97

Jane Anson, Decanter.com Maturity: 2029 - 2048 09 June 2020

Displaying a very deep purple-black color, the 2019 Calon-Ségur strides confidently out of the glass with classic notes of warm cassis, blackberry preserves, pencil shavings and clove oil plus nuances of lilacs, cinnamon stick, chocolate box and menthol. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with tightly wound, muscular black fruits and loads of bright floral accents, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and graceful.

Score: 95 - 97

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 18 June 2020

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