Chateau Calon Segur 3eme Cru Classe, Saint-Estephe 2016

Wow. This is the Calon we have been waiting for! Intensity and power. Chewy and polished tannins. Full body, great depth. It goes on for minutes. Shows a classic, historical character that really excites me. The essence of this estate and St.-Estèphe. Best ever?

The 2016 Calon Ségur is dense and radiant on the palate, just as it was from barrel. Even with all of its intensity, the 2016 is distinguished by its sense of freshness, lift and nuance, much of which comes from the 18% Cabernet Franc in the blend. Sweet floral, spice and minty notes add aromatic intensity to a core of sweet red cherry and plum fruit. There is plenty of underlying structure, but the tannins are sweet, silky and perfectly ripe. In short, the 2016 Calon Ségur is a wine of pure and total sensuality. Technical Director Vincent Millet and his team did a tremendous job with the 2016.

Restrained flesh, a vertical-rise through the palate, fairly old school Calon in feel, beautifully fragrant floral aromatics, plenty of brambled deep fruits, liquorice, crayon, leather, this is lovely wine, appellation character but feels very much lush, classy, impressive. Give it a long carafe, 100% new oak for ageing.

An extremely complete and well balanced vintage for Calon Ségur that shows how, with the right levels of acidity, tannin and depth of fruit, even 100% new oak can melt away. This is one of the signs of a great vintage and we have it here in spades. Great definition on the darkly spiced palate, with powerful cassis, liquorice, mint and violets that are dense yet feathery, with chalky tannins that need time to bed in. I love that the tannins are extremely high (80IPT) but not upfront, helped by a pH of 3.6. Just 35% of production made it into the grand vin because so much replanting was done back in 2006, although this should ramp up as the vines mature - they believe the potential is for 70% grand vin. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

The 2016 Calon-Ségur is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot aged in 100% new French oak for 20 months. Deep garnet-purple colored, it is a little closed to begin, slowly revealing warm red and black currants, kirsch and plum preserves with wafts of fragrant earth, violets, chocolate box and wood smoke. Medium to full-bodied, elegantly expressed and finely crafted, it has a wonderfully fine-grained texture and bold freshness supporting the densely packed black fruits, finishing long and mineral-laced.

The 2016 Calon-Ségur has a very concentrated, multifaceted bouquet of blackberry, blueberry, cedar and wild mint. I adore this – so involving and so intoxicating! The palate is very well balanced with succulent tannins and a fine bead of acidity, full of tension and poise. Black cherry and blueberry emerge toward the satisfying, complete finish. A gorgeous Saint-Estèphe. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.