Château Calon Ségur 2023

Heavenly fragrance, plenty of depth, a fan of aromas and a palate full of precision—dense, focused, razor‑sharp tannins, impeccably clean fruit, and a magnificent length. A refined Calon that gives you goosebumps.

Sweet and fresh bramble-berry notes on the nose. Some toast, liquorice, dark chocolate, tobacco, cedar and clove. Succulent and supple, with lovely energy and focus yet also density and bite. Chalky, fleshy tannins fill the mouth while a liquorice and slate flavour lingers on the cheeks. Both fruity and lean and straight at the same time. Not yet fully harmonised, but there’s finesse and refinement to the expression and nothing feels out of place or overdone. A juicy core and a touch of sweet strawberries lift the profile, which is very pleasing. Finishes clean and grippy. It’s very good, and the refinement, clarity and precision are faultless. More Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend than last year at 72%. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 55% grand vin production. 3.7 pH. 45 hl/ha yield. Aged 20 months, 100% new.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Nuances of ripe heart cherry and candied violet, rose petal, Black Forest berries, fine tobacco notes, some nougat, juicy, red cherry, finesse-rich structure, almost creamy texture, ripe, silky tannins, shows length and freshness, an animating style with some ageing potential.

Precise and confident texture to this wine, with higher levels of both Cabernets in 2023 than in 2022, having reached exceptional maturity, and personally I feel they have recaptured the heart and spirit of Calon. Skilfully made, I love the violet-peony savoury character; it’s sappy, with liquorice root and squid ink salinity, along with tons of cassis and cigar box. The blend was built on Cabernet, and you can feel it. My favourite Calon since the 2020 vintage, hands down. 100% new oak, director Vincent Millet.

Score: 94–96. Remarkably fine and elegant, the very classy nose is all black-fruit aromas, enriched by a rich note of warm undergrowth, graphite, peony, and iris. Incredibly silky, the palate is all tension and energy, thanks to vibrant, racy acidity, while the tannins are delightful. The finish, with breathtaking salinity, leaves a caressing sensation on the palate.

With its 82% cabernet sauvignon and 12% franc—a true guarantee of longevity—it offers a concentrated nose with fine toast and a retro of dried rose. The dense robe with intense purple already signaled its depth; it reveals sap, a weave of thick silk, elegance, opulence, flavorful intensity, tension and minerality. Very persistent on the finish, both saline and fresh. A great Calon.

Tobacco, underbrush, assorted spices, blackberries, wild herbs, and espresso form the enticing aromatic profile. Concentrated, long, dense, and intense, there is power, as well as lushness giving you a wine that is rich, balanced, well-defined, supple, creamy, and vibrant, with layers of fruit serving up a depth of flavor length and refinement. The refreshing waves of red with black fruits, sprig of mint, and touches of spice in the finish stay 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. Drink from 2030-2060.

95-97. Barrel Sample. Dark-chocolate and licorice aromas show a wine that has great structure and promise. It is rich with generous Merlot and dense with concentration and dark power. It has the acidity that marks out the year.

Dark and winey, with a reserved persona as warmed plum sauce and cassis notes move slowly, showing flashes of alder smoke and black tea throughout. The finish offers admirable grip in the form of cast iron buried amid the fruit, letting this keep a polished and suave feel overall. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2040.