Château Calon Ségur 2009

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Calon Ségur 2009

Tasting

Color
Beautiful deep garnet hue with purple and ruby highlights, reflecting remarkable phenolic concentration and a youthfulness that is still very present.

Nose
The nose reveals a captivating aromatic complexity with notes of blackcurrant, black cherry compote and redcurrant jam. Floral nuances of red roses intertwine with spicy touches of cinnamon and cigar box. With aeration, the bouquet evolves toward tertiary aromas of undergrowth, damp earth and graphite, accompanied by subtle notes of shiitake mushrooms and toasted almonds.

Palate
On the palate, this wine impresses with its masculine power and commanding structure. The attack reveals a viscous texture and a generous body. The tannins, extremely present yet remarkably fine and silky, lend elegant structure to the whole. The palate unfolds exceptional richness with a core of concentration and softness. The finish lingers at length, carried by vibrant acidity and radiant fruit, along with spicy notes of cocoa powder and lightly toasted touches.

Food and wine pairings
This wine pairs perfectly with grilled or roasted red meats such as ribeye steak or herb-roasted leg of lamb. It also pairs brilliantly with game preparations such as venison stew or braised wild boar. Red wine-based sauces, noble mushrooms and aged hard cheeses also make excellent matches. For the more daring, pairing it with dark chocolate will reveal surprising harmonies.

Serving and cellaring
Château Calon Ségur 2009 benefits from being decanted one to two hours before serving to allow its aromas to open and its tannins to soften. The ideal serving temperature is between 16 and 18°C. This wine can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve until around 2050, or even beyond depending on cellaring conditions.

A Saint-Estèphe combining power and elegance

The estate
Established in 1824 and located in Saint-Estèphe (Gironde), Bordeaux, Château Calon Ségur covers 94 hectares, including 55 hectares of vines on rolling gravelly rises. A Third Growth (Grand Cru Classé) in the 1855 classification, it cultivates a unique identity inherited from the famous motto of the Marquis de Ségur, “mon cœur est à Calon”, still displayed on the label. The current owner is Suravenir Assurances (Crédit Mutuel Arkéa), which has undertaken since 2012 a technical transformation aimed at greater consistency in quality.

The vineyard
Château Calon Ségur’s vineyard enjoys a privileged location at the northern end of the Saint-Estèphe appellation. The 55 hectares of vines rest on undulating gravel soils over a clay-limestone subsoil, offering optimal drainage and remarkable mineral complexity. The proximity of the Gironde estuary creates a temperate oceanic microclimate that promotes slow, even ripening of the grapes. The vines, with an average age of 22 years, are surrounded by a historic stone wall dating back to the time of the Marquis de Ségur. The varietal mix favors Cabernet Sauvignon at 65%, complemented by 20% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and a trace of Petit Verdot. Hand-harvesting and rigorous fruit selection ensure optimal quality.

The vintage
The 2009 vintage is considered one of the greatest Bordeaux vintages since 1982. The year benefited from exceptional climatic conditions, with a relatively dry summer followed by an Indian summer that extended the growing season. These circumstances made it possible to achieve unprecedented levels of phenolic ripeness. The grapes developed remarkable concentration while retaining a sophisticated structural balance. For Château Calon Ségur, this vintage represents the culmination of modernization efforts undertaken since 2006, validating investments made in restructuring the vineyard and improving winemaking protocols.

Winemaking and aging
The grapes for Château Calon Ségur 2009 were harvested by hand, with rigorous selection carried out over several passes. After meticulous sorting, the fruit was conveyed to the cellar by gravity to preserve its integrity. Vinification began with a three-day pre-fermentation cold soak, enabling the extraction of aromatic compounds and anthocyanins. Alcoholic fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats with controlled pump-overs. Total maceration lasted between 22 and 25 days depending on the parcel. Aging then continued for 20 months exclusively in new French oak barrels, allowing the wine to develop complexity while harmoniously integrating the contribution of the oak. Regular rackings were performed prior to the final blend.

Grape varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon (90%)
Merlot (7%)
Petit Verdot (3%)