CHÂTEAU CALON SÉGUR

The 2025 Calon Ségur contains just a little more Merlot this year at 17%, though it is still dominated by the 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked between September 4 and 20 over 15 days at 35 hl/ha. It represents 65% of the estate's total production this year. As usual, this is matured entirely in new French oak for a planned 20 months. This has immense clarity and precision on the nose, blackberry and cedar, a little sous-bois, beautifully delineated and more elegant than some recent vintages. The new wood is folded in and barely noticeable even at this early juncture. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy, slightly chalky tannins on the entry. There is quite a conspicuous marine/estuarine element with hints of Japanese nori infusing the black fruit, almost briny in style…I like that. It gives this Calon personality and bandwidth. Classical in style and lower alcohol at 13.6% compared with recent releases (the 2022 was 14.5%), this has a very promising future. Drinking range: 2032 - 2060 Rating: 95-97 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2026)

Aromas of ripe black currants, yet menthol and other fresh herbs come through. Medium body, with firm and slightly chewy tannins and a savory finish. Plenty going on here. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)

The 2025 Calon Ségur is a total head-turner. Aromatic and structured, the 2025 hits all the right notes. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2025 is packed with intense fruit and equally potent tannins that will need a decade to soften. This is a big, big wine. Here, too, the aromatics are so present, with lingering notes of dried herb, crushed rose petal and mint. Drinking range: 2035 - 2065 Rating: 95-97 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)