LeDomduVin: Chateau Calon Ségur Saint-Estèphe 2016

Chateau Calon Ségur Saint-Estèphe 2016

I first tasted Calon Segur in the early '90s at the restaurant where I worked (Le Relais de Compostelle, Pessac).

I must admit that I was not very fond of Saint-Estephe's wines then. They were always quite rustic, dry, and austere to my palate, with a soil-driven earthy taste, often backed up by astringent tannins.

Two Chateaux always seemed to come on top of this appellation and please my taste buds: Cos d’Estournel and Calon Segur. Calon being less expensive (on the wine list), I had more occasions to taste and serve it.

During my London years (1997-2002), Calon Segur was always mentioned in the wine lists of the various restaurants where I worked, but I did not sell or taste much of it, as my taste for Saint-Estephe’s wines had not changed much. I preferred to open wines from other Bordeaux appellations.

During the first five years of my New York years (2002-2011), I had the chance to come to Bordeaux every year to participate in the “En Primeurs,” visiting chateaux and tasting hundreds of wines for 8 to 10 days straight each time.

It allowed me to reconnect with the wines of Saint-Estephe, which had evolved into much fruitier, smoother, and more integrated wines compared to the 1990s. I rediscovered this appellation with a new perspective and enthusiasm, finding wines I previously “disliked” to be more to my liking.

Due to technical changes and improvements in vineyard and cellar management, Chateaux like Montrose, Phelan-Segur, and Lafon-Rochet, for example, became more fruit-forward, rounder, more approachable, less rustic, and less tannic. The 2000s saw a renewal of interest for Saint-Estephe wines.

The quality of Saint-Estephe wines has never ceased to increase ever since.

Château Calon Ségur 2016

This beautiful wine offers elegant aromas of ripe black fruits and spices with floral, mineral, earthy, and oaky nuances. Medium-bodied yet rich and generous, it is well-structured and fresh, with exceptional aging potential. Loved it.

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

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