Castle Calon Ségur - Saint-Estèphe 2014

Le Point

18,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/21/2015

Fruits noirs, épices, bouche juteuse, délicate, bien fruitée, serrée en finale, droit, pur, fin. 

Vinous

93-96 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015

The 2014 Calon Ségur is silky, polished and exceptionally beautiful. Freshly cut flowers, mint, dark berries and sage are some of the notes that are pushed forward in a sweet, unctuous St. Estèphe endowed with tons of class and personality. Raspberry jam and crushed flowers add further shades of nuance. The 2014 captures a deeply intriguing blend of lifted aromatics, super-ripe, fruit, pulsating energy and polished tannins. Persistent and impeccably balanced throughout, the 2014 Calon Ségur is without question one of the wines of the vintage. The refined finish alone is striking. In 2014, the blend is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Calon Ségur remains one of the few classified growths the average consumer can still afford to buy by the case. As such, it is likely to be one of the very best wines readers will find for the money. Don't miss it.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

Fans of the older, strict-style wine previously produced at this estate might be scratching their heads but I loved it! It is a rich, dense, fat and well-dressed grande dame of a wine with layers of sweet, ripe, juicy black fruits, supple, polished tannins and outstanding concentration. The plum-filled finish is long and clean, fresh, round and sweet. Produced from a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 13.8% alcohol with a pH of 3.70. Laurent Dufau has clearly upped the ante in the competition for the best wine in the appellation and the best is yet to come! 93-95 Pts

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

The Château Calon-Ségur 2014 is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 19% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot cropped at 41hl/ha and aged in 100% new oak for what is intended to be 20 months. The alcohol comes in at 13.8%, which would have been higher if more Merlot had been retained. The first impression is one of the oak because coming straight after the Montrose '14 (élevage in 60% new oak) the wood element is more pronounced here. It is relatively opulent and high-toned compared to its Saint Estèphe counterparts, developing floral scents with time but never quite extricating itself from the winemaking. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannin that lend this more chewiness than either Montrose or Cos d'Estournel. There is a lot of backbone to this wine, well focused with a good line of acidity, but again, I believe a more moderate use of new oak would have allowed the terroir to be expressed in what is a terroir-driven vintage. It is an impressive, you could almost say ambitious Calon Ségur, though I am seeking more personality via the terroir to be articulated. Tasted three times with consistent notes.

Asian Palate

95 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

Intensely concentrated in this vintage with racy acid focus and dark fruits - cassis, dark plum and sweet spices. This is a great vintage for Calon-Segur with velvety firm tannins and a long finish.

Decanter.com

18,5 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/17/2015

Big meaty nose and more richness than expected but totally silky on the palate. A superb combination of delicacy and power – almost Burgundian compared to Cos and Montrose. Such vineyard depth and balance! Drink: 2019-2035 (95)

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/16/2015

66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 19% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. Includes some vines planted in 2007. 20 months in 100% new oak.
Vibrant dark crimson. Very dense and not that communicative on the nose. But very impressive density, silky texture and refinement. Classic focused stuff with drive. Sufficiently ripe but not at all sweet. Long and truly St-Estèphe. Lots of energy here. Though it certainly isn’t opulent! Lots of tannins and St-Estèphe stoniness on the end. Pretty drying end. Less charm than Capbern but lots more classicism. Just cuts off a little suddenly (perhaps because of those younger vines).

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

This has a wonderful density and a velvety texture with so much fruit and richness. Full body, fine tannins and wonderful length. Gorgeous.

timatkin.com

93 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Florales Bouquet, Johannisbeeren, fein stielige Würze dahinter, Szechuanpfeffer und Tabakblatt, zeigt eine schöne Tiefe an. Im Gaumen elegant, fein stützende Adstringenz, die Aromatik bleibt im blaubeerigen Bereich, klare Cabernet-Aromatik. Der Wein ist für einen Saint Estèphe erstaunlich fein, aber der Calon-Ségur hatte immer schon etwas Feminines an sich. Insgesamt auf Finesse und Klasse setzend. Er wird mit dem weiteren Ausbau (100 % neues Holz, 20 Monate) bis zu seiner Abfüllung noch an Volumen gewinnen. Zwei Mal verkostet. Einmal auf dem Weingut und einmal auf Ulysse.

Wine Enthusiast

95 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015

94–96. Barrel Sample. This wine is packed with black fruit notes as well as ample acidity. The texture is so sumptuous that the tannins are way in the background. The wine, serious and dense, has weight and richness without ever becoming too much.

Wine Spectator

92-95 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/30/2015

This has a core of lightly steeped plum and blackberry, with alluring tobacco and charcoal notes lining the finish. Shows
nice underlying acidity, and seems likely to fill out steadily. This estate is back in form since the ownership change.