Château Calon Ségur 2019

Even at this stage, noticeable yet top-class oak spice and baking spices; full-bodied attack, fleshy development, firm-grained tannins, long, powerful, fruit-driven finish with perceptible warmth.

The 2019 has a more classic Calon Ségur style, expressing a fresh and precise yet slightly closed bouquet of crunchy black fruit, graphite, and spices. On the palate, the estate’s current stylistic aims are clearly evident in the finely chiseled and smooth tannic structure of this profound, age-worthy wine, which stands out for its impeccable elegance.

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.

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.

Power, purity, complexity, and richness combine to deliver striking levels of intensity, length, and freshness. The depth of fruit here is almost off the charts. Almost opaque in color, the wine is all about its display of spices, blackberries, black plums, black currants, mint, espresso, and tobacco leaf. Perfectly balanced, poised, and rich, the tannins are polished and refined, making this beauty effortless to drink. This is a highly textural wine that is clearly one of the stars of the vintage. Drink from 2030–2060.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate rim brightening. Black berries, a hint of bergamot and Darjeeling tea, blueberry and cedar wood, exotic bouquet. Powerful, juicy and sweet, chocolaty nuances, firm, supporting tannins, savoury on the finish, great savouriness and length, characterised by the use of wood, which helps to overcome the lack of density, almost peppery nuances in the aftertaste, ripe heart cherry at the back, certain ageing potential for many years.

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.

Opaque purple with a black core. What a beguiling bouquet: freshly picked blackberries, Alpine blueberries, and refined cassis spice. On the second pass, licorice and light tobacco. On the elegant palate, a silky texture and gorgeous sweetness of extract, then the giant grips with a tight-knit tannic frame and perfectly supportive acidity. In the aromatic, long-lasting finish, a firework of nougat pralines, blackcurrants, and exotic woods. The soaring trajectory continues unabated, allocations remain small – hence highly sought after!

Kunz Barrel Sample 2020: Dense, complex, powerful bouquet with prunes, licorice, black cherries, black olives, mint. Tightly woven, elegant, fresh palate with dense dark fruit, plenty of fine tannins, creamy structure, diverse, powerful aromatics, long, concentrated finish with sweet lingering notes. Has room to improve.

Dense, complex, powerful bouquet of prunes, licorice, black cherries, black olives, and mint. A tightly knit, elegant, fresh palate with concentrated dark fruit, plenty of fine tannins, a creamy texture, a diverse and bold aromatic profile, and a long, dense finish with sweet aftertones. Has room to improve. 18/20 2026 - 2055

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.

A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Calon Segur is deep garnet-purple in color. It skips out with bright, pretty scents of kirsch, black raspberries, and cassis, plus suggestions of cloves, cardamom, and star anise. The full-bodied palate delivers layer upon layer of black and red berries flavors, supported by super-firm, super-ripe tannins and bold freshness, finishing very long and minerally. A real head-turner!

A wonderful nose combining delicate vanilla, plum, red fruits, then cedar and a mentholated floral reprise; a unique stamp, an incomparable velvety texture, great length—everything here is order and beauty! This cru decidedly keeps surprising us in blind tastings, as at the château with the label revealed, and it regains its old standing as a competitor to the first growths. Remarkable value for money if you’re lucky enough to find it.

In the vein of the 2018, Colon Ségur does not lack generosity. It nevertheless achieves a fine balance, with a vibrant fruit profile and peppery notes on the finish. Very complete, with a superbly velvety tannic framework.

A crystalline, serious and complex nose of perfectly ripe black and purple fruits, with notes of Chinese lacquer, juniper, peony and iris. The palate is remarkably silky: satin on the attack, fine cashmere on the finish. Very pure and precise, with plenty of freshness and aromas of licorice, black fruits and slate.

Logo on the cork: CB Dark, intense, purple color. Very aromatic nose, fruity, ripe, subtle, and complex. Precise on entry, silky mid-palate and particularly aromatic, the wine caresses the palate with a refined texture, with plenty of flavor lingering on the finish. Very beautiful, finely woven and subtle length, with no tannic edges.