Le Marquis de Calon Ségur 2022

Open nose, with cassis, violets and peppery spice; approachable palate showing body and silkiness, crisp fruit, the alcohol is noticeable yet the wine remains balanced; spicy finish with forest berries and an enlivening saline note.

Mulled black currant and cherry fruit is inlaid with singed alder and bay leaf hints, along with a dried lilac accent. Light tugs of leather and warm earth through the finish give this an old-school edge. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2035. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 5,083 cases made.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle ochre rim. Hints of figs, ripe plums, blackcurrants, subtle wood spice. Juicy, pleasant fruit expression, ripe tannins, a chocolatey hint on the finish, ripe style, mineral aftertaste, a complex food wine.

Rocking blackcurrants, leafy tobacco, chocolate, and smoky nuances all emerge from the 2022 Le Marquis De Calon Ségur, one of the biggest, ripest, sexiest second wines in the vintage. It's full-bodied and has a round, opulent mouthfeel, sweet tannins, and a great finish. This might truly shock you with a decade of bottle age.

Deep berry fruits, but this has been skilfully handled over ageing; fresh mint leaf notes add a streak of freshness. Good stuff, with plenty of slate texture. 28 hl/ha yield following hail, 60% new oak for ageing. Harvest from September 6 to 27.

A concentrated nose, somewhat reticent at first, with notes of dark red fruit, perfectly ripe, emerging timidly, accompanied by a touch of nutmeg. On the palate, the wine reveals itself as confident and alluring, with fine red and blue fruit, sappy and brisk. It has the controlled power of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous “Vitruvian Man.” A welcome hint of green freshness brings a lofty elegance. Good ageing potential for a second wine.

What intensity in the bouquet of Marquis de Calon Ségur and, above all, what precision, definition, and depth! It’s utterly fearless, and you immediately understand its ambition to put pressure on its elder sibling! Beyond a few chalky nuances… On the palate, the wine is astonishing for its serenity, clarity, and texture. Its fine-grained tannins are majestic, powerful, and suave, complemented by delicate bitters that firm up the finish and channel the sweetness. A goldsmith’s wine, crafted by hedonists who revealed an unsuspected grandeur in this cru. It can stand on its own; the big brother is now merely its benchmark.

Black color. Intense nose with very ripe fruit. A touch of cherry. Pure. Precise, flavorful palate, broad through the mid-palate. While pleasant, the wine becomes a bit more nervy on the finish. Normal length. Blend: 58% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Alcohol: 15% - pH: 3.65.

Spearmint, cigar wrapper, black pit fruits, and licorice show in the nose. On the palate, the wine is sweet, fresh, and chalky with loads of currants, and a touch of licorice in the fruit-packed finish. The wine is a blend of 58% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. 15% ABV, 3.65 pH. Drink from 2025-2040. 92-94 pts.

This second wine has a black fruit aroma, rich tannins and layers of black plum fruits and acidity. The wine, well balanced, is likely to be ready from 2028.