Chateau Calon Segur 2023

WEINWISSER: "72 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 % Merlot, 12 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Petit Verdot, 45 hl/ha. Dicht verwobenes schwarzbeeriges Bouquet, Palisander, Rose Powder, verführerischer Iris-Duft, Graphit und dunkle Schokopastillen. Am komplexen Gaumen mit straffer Ausrichtung, seidiger Textur, engmaschigem Tanningerüst, ein Modelathlet. Im konzentrierten Finale schwarzbeerige Konturen, tiefschürfende Mineralik und edle Bitterness. Ein maskuliner St. Estèphe, der seine DNA behalten sollte, daher wurde beim Blend zuerst der Cabernet Sauvignon aus den Lots zusammengestellt und dann Merlot (chargenweise) dazugefügt, um die Identität nicht zu verlieren."

VINUM: "Himmlischer Duft, viel Tiefgang, ein Fächer von Aromen und ein Gaumen voller Präzision, dicht, fokussiert, messerscharfe Tannine, blitzsaubere Frucht, grandiose Länge. Ein raffinierter Calon, der Gänsehaut macht."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Blackcurrant, blueberry, cedar, pine needle and black truffle here. I don't think much about the nose with barrel samples, but this is splendid. It's medium-bodied with very fresh acidity and fine, linear tannins that are long and lively. Energy here. Refined. Salty character at the last minute. I may like this better than 2022. A blend of 72% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, 12% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2023 Château Calon Ségur is absolutely brilliant and clearly in the top handful of wines in the vintage. Based on 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, it has a stunning array of cassis and black raspberry-like fruits intermixed with smoky tobacco, graphite, and classy oak. Full-bodied, concentrated, and seamlessly textured, it has more mid-palate depth, richness, and length than just about every other wine out there."

DECANTER: "Sweet and fresh bramble berry notes on the nose. Some toast, liquorice, dark chocolate, tobacco, cedar and clove. Succulent and supple, this has a lovely energy and focus but with density and bite at the same time. Chalky, fleshy tannins fill the mouth but at the same time as a liquorice and slate flavour lingers on the cheeks. Both fruity and lean and straight at the same time. Not yet so harmonised, but there’s finesse and refinement to the expression and nothing feels out of place or too much. Has a juicy centre and a touch of sweet strawberries that lift the expression which is so pleasant. Ends clean and grippy. It’s very good and you can't fault the refinement, clarity and precision on show. More Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend than last year at 72%. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 55% grand vin production. 3.7pH. 45hl/ha yield. Ageing 20 months, 100% new."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Nuancen von reifen Herzkirschen und kandierten Veilchen, Rosenblätter, schwarze Waldbeeren, feine tabakige Noten, etwas Nugat, Saftig, rote Kirschen, finessenreiche Struktur, fast cremige Textur, reife, seidige Tannine, zeigt Länge und Frische, animierende Stilistik mit Reifepotenzial."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2023 Calon Segur has a deep garnet-purple color. After a swirl or two, notes of fresh blackcurrants, juicy blackberries, and redcurrant jelly leap from the glass, followed by hints of rose oil, cumin seed, and mint tea. The medium to full-bodied palate is bursting with bold red and black fruit flavors, supported by fine-grained tannins, finishing long and spicy. Nicely done!"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "The black fruits, dark red berries, flowers, licorice, spice, smoke, and crème de cassis in the perfume is a knockout! The wine is rich, balanced, well-defined, supple, creamy, and vibrant. The fruits have weight, depth, length, and purity. The concentrated layers of fruit start off strong, and keep on going. The refreshing waves of red with black fruits, sprig of mint, and touches of spice hang with you for close to 50 seconds in the up-beat finish. The wine blends 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. 14% ABV, 3.7 pH. The harvest took place September 6 - September 30. Only 55% of the harvest was placed into the Grand Vin. Drink from 2030-2060."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2023 Calon-Ségur is another en primeur success for this resurgent Saint-Estèphe third growth. Wafting from the glass with aromas of cassis, pencil shavings, wild berries and plums, it's medium to full-bodied, cool and layered, with a deep and integrated core, terrific concentration, lively acids and refined structuring tannins, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. It's a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that checks in at 14% alcohol."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Dark-fruit and menthol notes. Less mid-palate volume than 2022 but some might prefer this slenderer version. Pure, long and focused with a lovely texture of tannin. Drink 2032 – 2048"