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Goedhuis, April 2015, Score: 90-92
Perfumed aromas of violets and loganberries, with a feeling of ripeness of fruit, whilst remaining very fresh in the mouth. This has concentrated flavours layered with a tightly integrated tannic structure. It just finishes a little shy at the end of the palate, but has the potential to blossom, following a period of cask maturation.
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Neal Martin, April 2015, Score: 91-93
The Château Calon-Ségur 2014 is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 19% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot cropped at 41hl/ha and aged in 100% new oak for what is intended to be 20 months. The alcohol comes in at 13.8%, which would have been higher if more Merlot had been retained. The first impression is one of the oak because coming straight after the Montrose '14 (élevage in 60% new oak) the wood element is more pronounced here. It is relatively opulent and high-toned compared to its Saint Estèphe counterparts, developing floral scents with time but never quite extricating itself from the winemaking. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannin that lend this more chewiness than either Montrose or Cos d'Estournel. There is a lot of backbone to this wine, well focused with a good line of acidity, but again, I believe a more moderate use of new oak would have allowed the terroir to be expressed in what is a terroir-driven vintage. It is an impressive, you could almost say ambitious Calon Ségur, though I am seeking more personality via the terroir to be articulated. Tasted three times with consistent notes.
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Antonio Galloni, April 2015, Score: 93-96+
The 2014 Calon Ségur is silky, polished and exceptionally beautiful. Freshly cut flowers, mint, dark berries and sage are some of the notes that are pushed forward in a sweet, unctuous St. Estèphe endowed with tons of class and personality. Raspberry jam and crushed flowers add further shades of nuance. The 2014 captures a deeply intriguing blend of lifted aromatics, super-ripe, fruit, pulsating energy and polished tannins. Persistent and impeccably balanced throughout, the 2014 Calon Ségur is without question one of the wines of the vintage. The refined finish alone is striking. In 2014, the blend is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Calon Ségur remains one of the few classified growths the average consumer can still afford to buy by the case. As such, it is likely to be one of the very best wines readers will find for the money. Don't miss it.
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James Suckling, March 2015, Score: 93-94
This has a wonderful density and a velvety texture with so much fruit and richness. Full body, fine tannins and wonderful length. Gorgeous.
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Decanter, April 2015, Score: 95
Big meaty nose and more richness than expected but totally silky on the palate. A superb combination of delicacy and power – almost Burgundian compared to Cos and Montrose. Such vineyard depth and balance! Drink: 2019-2035
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Matthew Jukes, May 2015, Score: 18+
(66 Cabernet Sauvignon, 19 Merlot, 13 Cabernet Franc, 2 Petit Verdot) | 13.8% alc. | 100% new oak. This is a very perfumed and bright Calon, with a firm crunch of red fruit on the finish. Strangely, this vintage conformed to exactly the same dates of flowering, veraison and picking as 2009 and also exactly the same analysis statistics as the wines made in 2010 and 2012. It certainly doesn’t have the volume of the 2009 wine nor does it have the tannin structure of 2010 but it is definitely finer and longer than the 2012. With yields of 41 hl/ha this is a decent sized harvest, too, and the resulting wine is well made. Looking at the blend I would have expected a darker, more cassis-driven wine but in fact it is red fruited and silky in the mid-palate, and rather clean and refreshing with a cranberry tang on the finish. It is more Italianate in structure and acid profile than classically Bordeaux-like and while it is an interesting Calon it is atypical. I think that this is because of the shrivelling which occurred in some of the Merlot berries late into the season. This wine doesn’t have the depth of Montrose or Cos, for example, nor does it lead with black fruit, but I expect it to mellow in the medium term and end up shining in the glass, with exactly the same tone of garnet as the heart on its label.
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Jancis Robinson, April 2015, Score: 17++
66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 19% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. Includes some vines planted in 2007. 20 months in 100% new oak. Vibrant dark crimson. Very dense and not that communicative on the nose. But very impressive density, silky texture and refinement. Classic focused stuff with drive. Sufficiently ripe but not at all sweet. Long and truly St-Estèphe. Lots of energy here. Though it certainly isn’t opulent! Lots of tannins and St-Estèphe stoniness on the end. Pretty drying end. Less charm than Capbern but lots more classicism. Just cuts off a little suddenly (perhaps because of those younger vines). 13.8% Drink 2024-2040
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Wine Spectator, April 2015, Score: 92-95
This has a core of lightly steeped plum and blackberry, with alluring tobacco and charcoal notes lining the finish. Shows nice underlying acidity, and seems likely to fill out steadily. This estate is back in form since the ownership change.
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Antonio Galloni, February 2017, Score: 96
The 2014 Calon Ségur is a real show-stopper. Unusually ripe, powerful and seductive, the wine exudes class. Myriad shades of plum, sweet red cherry, pomegranate, spice and blood orange are all on display. Wild flowers, tobacco and host of more aromatic notes develop in the glass. Above all else, though, the 2014 is a wine of pure power and breadth. This is yet another fabulous showing for the 2014 Calon Ségur, a wine that vies for top honors in this vintage. Don't miss it. The blend is 67 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 19 % Merlot, 15 % Cabernet Franc and 2 % Petit Verdot 2024-2050
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Neal Martin, Feburay 2018, Score: 92
The 2014 Calon-Ségur has a dense, ripe, powerful bouquet with layers of blackberry and bilberry fruit, crushed stone, black olive and just a hint of Indian ink. I love the audacity of this Saint Estèphe. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grippy tannin. This is a dense, broody, introspective wine with layers of black fruit laced with spice-box, black olive, maybe just a little greenness towards the finish, though I feel that this will be assimilated with time in bottle. Give it ages and ages to mature. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
