Chateau Calon Segur - Saint-Estephe 2004 Magnum

Wine Region: Bordeaux - France

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) and Merlot (30%)

Tasting notes:It offers a dark ruby/plum color, nicely evolved notes of roasted herbs, sweet cherries and currants, and loamy earth, medium-weight, light to moderate tannin, and an elegant style. Intense aromas of currant bush and berries that turn to roses. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a floral, leafy and fruity aftertaste.

Expert Ratings:

James Suckling 91 / 100

“Lovely soft tannins with coffee and cedar with ripe fruit. China tea. Subtle. Cloves too. Full and round with beautiful fruit and a crisp finish. Very ready. At its peak.”

Wine Spectator 90 / 100

“Intense aromas of currant bush and berries that turn to roses. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a floral, leafy and fruity aftertaste. Builds on the palate. Needs time.”

About the winery:

Château Calon-Ségur, the most northerly of all the Médoc Grand-Crus Classés, is the château with a heart on its label. That is because the former owner, Marquis de Ségur, though he owned such Estates as Lafite and Latour, declared "My heart belongs to Calon". For the last century it has been owned by the Gasqueton family.

Calon-Ségur's 74-hectare vineyard, which is partly enclosed by a wall, is located just to the north of the village of St-Estèphe. The vineyards (Cabernet Sauvignon 65%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Franc 15%) lie on up to 5 metre deep gravel beds mixed with sand and, in parts, limestone and clay.

The wines are fermented for 3 weeks in enamel-lined steel vats and are then matured in oak barriques (40% new) for 18 months. Recently, Calon-Ségur has hit form with notable successes in 1995 and 1996 and 2000. At its best, Calon-Ségur produces meaty and concentrated wines displaying excellent depth of fruit and superb length. It is classified as a 3ème Cru Classé.