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Calon Segur 1995

St Estephe, Third Growth

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Units Size Case size GBP Price: Quantities Buy
12 75cl Bottle Case 12 £1,420 per Case Case [Add to shopping basket]
Tasting Notes

The 1995 Calon-Segur was the vintage that raised the profile of this estate and heralded the start of the late Mme Gasqueton's era. At 20 years of age, it shows no signs of reaching the end of its plateau. Far from it. It has an endearing bouquet that still seems youthful: brambly red fruit, asphalt and a light marine influence. Allowing the wine to open, there is a subtle winegum scent. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, impressive depth and backbone, the second half having mellowed in recent years, rendering this approachable; hints of secondary truffle and smoke notes emerging with aeration. It has been several years since I last tasted this wine, but it is one that seems to become more and more impressive with age. Robert Parker rightly lauded this Calon-Ségur at the time of release. Twenty years on, it is fulfilling all its promise.

Score: 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2045 28 October 2016

This has a very backward nose with an almost animal-like intensity. The Cabernet Sauvignon is dominant with cedar, smoke and sous-bois characteristics coming through. Superb definition with a little more 'attack' than the 1996 (which is not dissimilar in style.) The palate is extremely backward, almost chunky and tannic, much more primal than the ’96 with blackberry, briary, bilberry complemented by hawthorn and leather. Very well balanced towards the charming finish which is developing an enthralling sense of harmony and effortless. A wine that put Mdm. Gasqueton on the map and still with so much to give in future years.

Score: 95

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2040 01 January 2009

I always loved this wine from the first time I tasted it in 1998. It has such purity and power yet it's reserved and beautiful. It's one of the best Calons ever. I drank a bottle with some friends in Manhattan last week and it was the wine of the evening. It was full-bodied with silky tannins and a focused and intense finish. Lots of currant and berry character and hints of dried spices. It's finally opening up and giving real pleasure now like so many 1995 Bordeaux at the moment.

Score: 97

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 19 May 2014

Incredible nose of crushed berries, flowers, spices and nuts. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Powerful and solid. Builds on the palate. Give it time. - '95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective.

Score: 95

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2009+ 01 January 2007

Bright crimson. Lots of graphite minerals on the nose. Wonderful spread of ripe fruit on the palate. Just lovely for now - great balance. Just a tad dry on the end - but that’s St-Estèphe for you. Very satisfying.

Score: 17 - 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2012-2016 17 February 2011

As I have said many times since I first tasted this wine, the 1995 Calon-Segur is one of the great sleepers of the vintage (I bought the wine as a future for a mere $250 a case). The wine has closed down completely since bottling, but it is a sensational effort that may ultimately merit an even higher score. The wine is opaque purple-colored. With coaxing, the tight aromatics reveal some weedy cassis intertwined with truffles, chocolate, and beef blood-like aromas. On the palate, there is an element of sur-maturite (1995 was an extremely late harvest at Calon-Segur), fabulous density and purity, and a boatload of tannin. This deep, broodingly backward, classic Bordeaux will require a decade of cellaring.

Score: 92

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2005-2035 01 February 1998