2006 CHÂTEAU CALON SÉGUR 3ème Cru Classé Saint Estèphe

Step forward Mme. Gasqueton, whose triumphant Château Calon-Ségur 2006 would rate as one of my "must-buys" of the vintage and up there with the best this under-rated estate has produced. The wine is imbued with all the freshness and vigour you could wish for, undoubtedly a superior wine to her 2003 and on par with the 2005. Complex, beautifully defined and with exquisite balance, this is the one I would go for, especially given its reasonable price on release. Lucid garnet/ruby colour. The nose is very tight at first, but develops a lovely pure mineral aroma with a touch of earth, hedgerow and black fruits. Full bodied, fabulous balance and focus, well-defined tannins, complex with notes of blackberry, fresh tobacco, a touch of sous bois. Firm, tannic finish but maintaining freshness from start to finish. A fabulously good Calon Ségur courtesy of Mme. Gasqueton. Chapeau!   94-96/100

A lovely wine with a solid core of fruit, silky tannins and chocolate, berry and light spice character. Long and balanced. Reminds me of the 1995.   92-94/100

The harvest at this estate was relatively late for the vintage (September 26-October 15), and approximately two-thirds of the production made it into the final blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot. The 2006 is highly successful, as Madame Gasqueton said, no doubt because of the de-leafing and crop-thinning done throughout the summer. A deep dark ruby/purple hue is accompanied by a sweet nose of black cherries, damp earth, and a hint of herbs. Medium-bodied with surprisingly soft tannin, no austerity, decent acidity, and a fruit-forward, fleshy personality, it should be accessible at an earlier age than the blockbuster 2005.   90-93/100

Remarkably deep crimson. Savoury, racy nose with good depth and confidence. Not heavy or rustic - really quite transparent and with almost Lafite-like lift and race. Well done with no greenness and just a little tightening on the finish. Finer than the more solid Montrose. Positively succulent! You might reproach it for being just a little lightweight... 2015-26   17.5

RECOMMENDED

(64% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot and 3% petit verdot) Red-ruby. Perfumed, highly complex nose offers black cherry, currant, iron, mocha, smoked meat, flowers and a whiff of bonfire. Rich, sweet and densely packed, with lovely delineation and inner-mouth aromatic character. The cool August shows in the wine's slight medicinal austerity, but this is juicy, pure and vibrant, and the tannins are quite fine. May not show the grip or length of a great year but this is an outperformer for this appellation in 2006. The estate did a gentle extraction, with a maceration limited to 18 days, in search of silky tannins, according to Madame Gasqueton.   89-92/100

Fine floral, fragrant nose, all elegance and lift, almost feminine style, great purity, a really lovely wine with ripe tannins and perfect balance. 2012-25   ****