2013 CH CALON-SÉGUR 3ÈME CRU ST ESTÈPHE - 6x150cl

Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, April 2014,
  Score: 88-90

  This was the first 2013 I tasted and it is a very fine example, supporting the view that St Estèphe escaped the worst of the weather. Brilliant purple in colour, there is very good purity with clean crisp currant fruit flavours. This is lively, full and fresh on the finish.

• 

  Neal Martin, October 2016,
  Score: 91

  The 2013 Calon Segur is a Saint Estèphe that should not be ignored. It has developed an attractive bouquet with blackberry, graphite and a hint of vanilla in the background. No, it is not an intense bouquet, yet winemaker Vincent Millet has conjured aromatics that frankly shade many other Left Bank properties this year. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and crisp acidity. There is tangible energy here with a cohesive and silky textured finish. What is lacks in depth it compensates with a sense of panache. It will be earlier drinking than other vintages, but the class comes through. Bravo to Vincent and his team for making the best wine they possibly could in this challenging vintage. 2018-2032

• 

  Neal Martin, April 2014,
  Score: 89-91

  The Calon Segur 2013 is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot delivering 13.1% alcohol raised for 20 months (eventually) entirely new oak. There was a little chaptalization with respect to the Cabernet Sauvignon. It actually included 19% vin de presse, which was included in this sample. The wood comes through quite strongly on the aromatics at first and at the moment it seems to dominate the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with tobacco infused black fruit. This is balanced with well-judged acidity, a little softer towards the finish than previous recent vintages. It is a pleasant Calon-Segur but it needs to develop more personality, but it is a successful wine considering the growing season.

• 

  Robert Parker, August 2014,
  Score: 92-94

  The 2013 Calon Segur is unquestionably one of the stars of the vintage. The harvest ran from early October for the Merlot grape and to the second full week of October for the Cabernet Sauvignon. I don’t recall (although I’d have to go through all my notes for the last 3-4 years) a Calon Segur with this high a percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, as Merlot has always been a prominent player in the final blend. It is opaque purple in color with a glorious nose of incense, creme de cassis, licorice and a touch of graphite. The wine is full-bodied, opulent, fleshy and surprisingly deep and dense, especially for a wine from this vintage. It is almost atypically thick and rich for a 2013. Nevertheless, the tannins are soft and the wine should be relatively approachable after 2-3 years bottle age. This is a property on the move, upward. Smart and shrewd readers will take a look at this vintage, as well as future vintages of Calon Segur, a terroir with true first-growth potential.

• 

  Decanter, April 2014,
  Score: 92

  Wonderful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon (92%), cassis, slightly smoky, all elegance from St-Estèphe, a finely polished wine. Drink: 2018-2030

• 

  Matthew Jukes, April 2014,
  Score: 17.5+

  Nice power, discreet, reserved and tender, too. The oak has been completely absorbed by the wine and the result is a very elegant, pristine Cabernet. It is reminiscent of an old-fashioned Calon but with the brightest, slimmest Cabernet fruit maginable. There is a crisp, tangy finish but no dry tannins and the fruit theme is plum-soaked and not too dark. Production is down 20% and the selection to make a wine of this calibre was very severe. Apparently the price will be ‘decreased to show goodwill’ – let’s see how far!

• 

  Jancis Robinson, April 2014,
  Score: 17+

  92% Cabernets, 6% Merlot (normally more like 25%), 2% Petit Verdot. Rich, scented perfume on the nose, medium body and pretty intense tannins – very compact and restricting on the palate. Deserves some maturation, but doesn’t have the body and concentration to go very long term. (RH)

• 

  Tim Atkin, May 2014,
  Score: 94

  The swanky new cellar at Calon doesn’t seem to have affected the quality of the wine, thank goodness, because this remains the most graceful and nuanced of St Estèphes. It’s comparatively light, with chiselled acidity, filigree tannins and gentle red fruits sweetness. 2018-28

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Producer

Château Calon-Ségur

The most northerly classified growth in the Médoc, Château 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. Calon-Ségur was owned and managed for many years by Mme. Denise Capbern Gasqueton, a magical hostess who captures the essence of La Vieille France with all its tradition, elegance and etiquette. She sadly passed away in 2011 but the inate quality of the vineyards ensures Calon-Ségur's place among the top wines of the appellation.