Calon Ségur 2010

The nose has lots of different black fruits with a mix of bramble and black cherry. Freshness is very much in evidence on the palate quite light and fragrant. Sweeter more concentrated cassis shows towards the back the sweetness helped by ripe feeling tannins. The finish is bright and long.

Superb expression of black fruits, sensational depth of supple/succulent flavours, great harmony, purity and length, for me the best Saint-Estèphe this year. Drink 2020-50.

A higher alcohol content (13.8% versus 13.4% in 2009), but lower pH (3.7 versus 3.9 in 2009) has resulted in a concentrated, textured wine that requires a decade of cellaring. It will keep for 35-40 years thereafter. The 2010 harvest at Calon Segur occurred between September 25 and October 14, and the final blend was 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. A dense ruby/purple color is followed by notes of plums, kirsch, licorice, incense and herbs. Full-bodied, moderately tannic, pure, fresh and precise, this beauty will require lots of patience from prospective purchasers. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2050

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Calon-Ségur 2010 has a clean and fresh, classic bouquet with black fruit, leather, scorched earth and bay leaf scents that unfold gently in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, light acidity, very fine harmony and a dash of white pepper towards the long finish. This is classy and sophisticated, a great wine from François Millet and his team. Tasted January 2014.

The Calon-Segur has a very fragrant bouquet with perfumed raspberry coulis, fresh strawberry, limestone and a hint of dried rose petals - very feminine for Calon-Segur - certainly a Saint Estèphe with great breeding. The palate is medium-bodied with superb acidity right from the start. It is taut, tightly coiled, brilliantly focused and though it does possess the bravura of Cos d'Estournel's its precision and linearity is enthralling. Again, there is that graphite note just coming through on the aftertaste. This is classic Saint Estephe and a testament to the late Mme Gasqueton. Tasted November 2012.

Primeur sample tasted at the Château, the Calon-Segur is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, the Cabernet cropped between the 5th and 14th October. It has all those tertiary, smoky scents one associated with this Saint Estephe, quite rustic when compared to Montrose '10 but full of character and freshness. The palate is medium-bodied with quite brusque tannins on the entry, a little aggressive when compared to some of the other primeur samples but this will be polished by the oak before bottling. There is a lot of matière: masculine, earthy, gentle but insistent grip that leads to finish as redoubtable as Mme Gasqueton herself, It is a little rough round the edges at this stage and I just feel that 100% new oak is maybe a little excessive? Nonetheless, it retains freshness and is very promising. Drink 2020- Tasted March 2011.

A racy and refined red, with currants and hints of tobacco. Full and very silky. Delicate and elegant. Very long, with wonderful acidity. So friendly at this stage. A touch of fresh herbs. Like to see a little more concentration but outstanding. 86 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 12 percent Merlot and 27 percent Petit Verdot