Château Calon Ségur, St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France, 2012

About the Winemaker
Every morning, when the vines are arousing from their slumber, the “inhabitants” of Calon take possession of the place, and the estate turns into a village. Fifty or so people work here: vineyard workers, tractor drivers, an administrative team, the cellar crew, agricultural engineers, hospitality men and women. People from Saint-Estèphe of course, but also Médocains, Bordelais, as well as one or two talents that have come from abroad to take part in the Calon Ségur project. 

About the Wine
The Grand Vin of Calon Ségur mirrors its terroir. It is rare, authentic and stirs the soul. In the most natural way, it reveals both great delicacy and outstanding intensity. All the magic of Calon is in this balance. The wine is aged in new oak barrels for 20 months, the tannins of the oak integrating harmoniously over time with the tannins of the grapes. The style is brought by a Cabernet Sauvignon which expresses its finesse without arrogance. Elegance is to be found everywhere, in the purity of the wine’s flavours, in the delicacy of its texture, while its depth and length are also superb. The wine’s extraordinary ability to age many years in bottle is another feature of the estate. The 1947, 1953 and 1982 vintages, by way of example, still display astonishing signs of youth.

Grape / Blend
78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot

Origin
St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France

96 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Firm and structured, this beautifully concentrated wine has plenty of the dark tannins that come out of Cabernet Sauvignon in Saint-Estèphe while allowing room for juicy fruit. The wood aging is still showing, giving some spice to the wine. At the end, it’s the density of the wine that’s so impressive. Drink from 2024. Cellar Selection.

93 Points - Wine Spectator 
Dense but pure, offering suave plum, raspberry coulis and black currant fruit, and tobacco, tar and iron nuances. This is integrated and refined through the long finish, but lacks the vintage's austerity. Very nicely done. Best from 2017 through 2025.

93 Points - James Suckling 
A silky and polished red with currant, walnut and black truffle character. Full body, silky tannins and a fine finish. It reminds me of the excellent 1995. Better in 2017.

91 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Calon Ségur, has an opaque ruby/purple color, very sweet black raspberry, black cherry and currant fruit, underlying forest floor notes, wonderfully sweet tannin, surprising up-front opulence and beautiful purity, texture and length. This is an outstanding effort and a strong wine in 2012. Drink it over the next 20 years, as the acidity is quite low and the wine already approachable. 

Product size: 750ml