2008 Ch Calon-Ségur 3ème Cru St Estèphe

Tasting Notes

Goedhuis, April 2009, Score: 89-92

A 2008 that offers a plethora of dark, rich fruit, a tender, sweet core and ripe chewy tannins. The estate described the wine as "powerful but with beautiful balance". We couldn't agree more.

Robert Parker, April 2009, Score: 90-93

Perhaps that explains the elegant, but rich style of the 2008 Calon Segur, which is dominated more than usual by Cabernet Sauvignon. Cropped at 40 hectoliters per hectare, it is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. Its sweet perfume of black currants, tobacco leaf, and licorice is followed by a wine with superb purity, good freshness, and a full-bodied style with ripe tannin as well as a long finish. Somewhat reminiscent of the 1996, although this vintage carries a much higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2008 should be relatively approachable given the sweetness of the tannins, and will evolve for 20-25 years.

Jancis Robinson, April 2009, Score: 17.5+

Mme Denise Capbern-Gasqueton is 85 and still very much in charge. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. Merlot was picked on 6 and 7 Octand the Cabernet on 12 to 16 Oct. A new winemaker was brought in from 2006 aiming to work on the Cabernet Sauvignon, to extend the ripening process - as he had done at Ch Margaux. They changed the team - the new head of vines is ex-Ch Margaux and another important member of the team is ex-Ch Latour. Yield was 40 hl/ha, 50% went into the grand vin. 80% new barriques. Deep crimson. Very different. Spicy sweet nose - very fluid. Quite a contrast to the austere Montrose we have just tasted! Quite rich and supple and fireworks. Round and rather glorious though not at all tarted up. Very fresh. Firm and with great spin though no compromises. Very classic. A very confident vintage for Calon-Ségur.

Wine Spectator, April 2009, Score: 88-91

Very pretty spicy aromas, with currant and blackberry. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a delicate velvety texture. Balanced and easy, with a medium finish. 80 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 18 percent Merlot and 2 percent Petit Verdot. This is much more Cabernet than normal.

St Estèphe

St Estèphe is the most northern of Médoc communal crus. Its unique terroir is made up of layers of gravel which are supported by a dense clay base. This subsoil retains water in dry seasons and works particularly well with Merlot, a largely planted variety which is used to flesh out Cabernet Sauvignon. This clay base also creates powerful, textured tannins which enable St Estèphe to stand out from the pack. Like St Julien, it is one of the four most important communal appellations of the Médoc which does not contain any first growths, despite its southern border being a stone's throw from Château Lafite. Nonetheless, it is home to some excellent châteaux such as Cos d'Estournel, Montrose, Calon Ségur and Lafon Rochet.

Château Calon-Ségur

The most northerly classified growth in the Médoc, Calon Ségur has had a gracious history. In the 18th century, it was the most beloved property of its owner, the Marquis Nicolas-Aléxandre Ségur. Though he also owned such celebrated châteaux as Lafite and Latour, he would proudly state: "I make my wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is in Calon." He immortalised his affection by creating a heart on the label - a symbol that exists to this day. The château is now owned and managed by Mme. Denise Capbern Gasqueton, a magical hostess who captures the essence of La Vieille France with all its tradition, elegance and etiquette.

Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Cabernet Franc

One of the most widely-found blends used throughout the Bordeaux region - including such legendary wines as Chateaux Haut-Brion, Cos d'Estournel, Ducru Beaucaillou and Leoville-Barton. At it's best this potentially perfect combination balances depth of flavour, ripe richness and taut tannic structure and length. It also produces some of the finest red wines from the Napa Valley in California and Stellenbosch in South Africa.