93 Vinous – The 2016 Le Marquis de Calon Ségur is just as gorgeous from bottle as it was from barrel. The high percentage of Merlot comes through beautifully in the wine’s succulent, racy personality. Raspberry jam, mocha, white flowers, spice and blood orange all race through this succulent second wine from Calon Ségur. Best of all, the 2016 will be ready to drink upon release. Tasted three times.
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Calon-Ségur is one of the oldest properties in the Médoc—dating back to the middle ages. In the 18th century, the estate fell into the hands of the Marquis de Ségur. Despite the fact that he also owned the more prestigious Chateau Lafite and Chateau Latour, the Marquis famously said: “I make wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is in Calon.” Today the bottle’s iconic label depicts a large heart around the estate’s name.
Located in the north of the St-Estèphe appellation, this historic Third Growth winery got its name from the small river boats, or “calons,” that were used to ferry timber across the Gironde River estuary, which the Calon-Ségur vines overlooked.
The majority of the vineyards are Cabernet Sauvignon, with about 20% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and a touch of Petit Verdot. The grapes are grown in deep gravelly beds mixed with sand, and in parts, clay and limestone.