Château Calon Ségur 2020

A return to form in my eyes for Calon Ségur after the atypical 2018, rippling with elegance, balance and savoury blue fruits of Cabernet, with rose and peony flowers. Concentrated, chiselled and juicy, this has clear personality and equals the great, classically balanced vintages of Calon like 2016. A yield of 33hl/ha, 3.85pH, 100% new oak. Vincent Millet is now overall director as well as technical director, since the departure of Laurent Dufau in 2020. 2029-2048. Jane Anson.

Couleur pourpre et intense. Nez intense, fin, fruité et subtil. Nuances de cerise et de framboise. Touche complexe de réglisse. Très proche de Lafite. A l’agitation, il est magnifique de fraîcheur, de pureté et de maturité. Délicat en entrée de bouche, fondant au milieu, extrêmement aromatique, à la fois velouté et dense, très bien construit, le vin glisse vers une finale savoureuse, juteuse, noble et un comportement général aérien par dessus la densité. C’est superbe. Assemblage : 78 % cabernet sauvignon, 12 % merlot, 9 % cabernet franc, 1 % petit verdot.

The 2020 Calon-Ségur is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It is aging in 100% new French oak barrels for an anticipated 18 to 20 months. The alcohol is 13.8%. Displaying a deep purple-black color, it straight away springs up with bright scents of freshly picked black raspberries, kirsch and blackberries, needing considerable swirling to reveal a vast array of nuances—rose oil, cardamom, iron ore, graphite, lavender and aniseed. The medium-bodied palate has a solid structure of firm, ripe, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness supporting the tightly wound red and black fruit layers, accented by lots of mineral and floral sparks, finishing with impressive length and depth. Beautiful, beautiful wine! 2026-2060. 95-97/100. Lisa Perrotti-Brown.

Tobacco and tea aromas with currants and wet earth. Full-bodied and chewy with blackcurrant flavor. Tannins build on the finish with lots of structure and intensity. Quite muscular. 95-96/100.