Château Calon Ségur - Saint-Estèphe 1995

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

par Neal Martin le 28/10/2016

Tasted from an ex-château bottle at BI Wine & Spirits Calon-Segur dinner in London. The 1995 Calon-Segur was the vintage that raised the profile of this estate and heralded the start of the late Mme Gasqueton's era. At 20 years of age, it shows no signs of reaching the end of its plateau. Far from it. It has an endearing bouquet that still seems youthful: brambly red fruit, asphalt and a light marine influence. Allowing the wine to open, there is a subtle winegum scent. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, impressive depth and backbone, the second half having mellowed in recent years, rendering this approachable; hints of secondary truffle and smoke notes emerging with aeration. It has been several years since I last tasted this wine, but it is one that seems to become more and more impressive with age. Robert Parker rightly lauded this Calon-Ségur at the time of release. Twenty years on, it is fulfilling all its promise. Tasted March 2015.

Jamessuckling.com

97 / 100

par James Suckling le 19/05/2014

I always loved this wine from the first time I tasted it in 1998. It has such purity and power yet it's reserved and beautiful. It's one of the best Calons ever. I drank a bottle with some friends in Manhattan last week and it was the wine of the evening. It was full-bodied with silky tannins and a focused and intense finish. Lots of currant and berry character and hints of dried spices. It's finally opening up and giving real pleasure now like so many 1995 Bordeaux at the moment.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

par Robert Parker le 01/09/1998

One of the finest Calon-Segurs in years, the 1995 may prove superior to the 1988 and 1982. This dense black/purple-colored, rich, full-bodied, super-ripe claret reveals plenty of fat and power. A big, nearly massive wine for Calon-Segur, it is one of the sleepers of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2030. Last tasted 1/97

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1998

As I have said many times since I first tasted this wine, the 1995 Calon-Segur is one of the great sleepers of the vintage (I bought the wine as a future for a mere $250 a case). The wine has closed down completely since bottling, but it is a sensational effort that may ultimately merit an even higher score. The wine is opaque purple-colored. With coaxing, the tight aromatics reveal some weedy cassis intertwined with truffles, chocolate, and beef blood-like aromas. On the palate, there is an element of sur-maturite (1995 was an extremely late harvest at Calon-Segur), fabulous density and purity, and a boatload of tannin. This deep, broodingly backward, classic Bordeaux will require a decade of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2035. Proprietor Madame Gasqueton (one of The Wine Advocate's heroines of 1997) has produced two unqualified back to back successes. Kudos to Calon-Segur, as both the 1995 and 1996 wines have a strong buy recommendation from me, but only for readers who have the patience to wait them out.

Wine Spectator

96 / 100

par James Suckling le 31/01/1998

Greatest Calon-Segur ever made. An absolutely amazing red, this third-growth Bordeaux is remarkable for its layers of berry, violets and perfume. It's full-bodied and very velvety on the palate, with masses of character and an ultralong finish. Best after 2004.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/1996

The 1995 may be the most impressive Calon-Segur since 1988. The deep, healthy dark ruby/purple color is followed by a nose without any of the kinky, earthy, musty barrel smells that often afflict Calon-Segur. Although backward, the wine reveals terrific purity, full body, low acidity, layers of concentrated fruit, and a fleshy, pure style. This big-boned, impressively-endowed wine will need 5-7 years of cellaring, after which it will keep for 20+ years. This estate has a tendency to produce wines that tighten up and go into a shell, but I am looking forward to retasting this top-notch effort in 6-8 months. A noteworthy effort, Calon-Segur's 1995 will represent an excellent value given the mixed feelings the wine trade has about this estate.