2025 Chateau Calon Segur 3eme Cru Classe, Saint-Estephe 1x750ml

Vinous 95-97

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. [Neal Martin, 05/31/2026]

Anticipated maturity: 2032-2060