Completely intoxicating, with amazing lift and elegance on the nose, layered with dark fruit that is utterly captivating. The palate is delicately balanced, with very fine tannins supporting structured, expressive fruit. This is a supreme example of Calon Ségur, showing elegance, poise and extraordinary concentration. A wow-wine, unquestionably one of the finest wines of the vintage, combining power, finesse and a lingering, memorable finish. Is this the greatest Calon Ségur ever produced? Possibly!
#9 Top 100. A monumental wine in the making, the 2016 Château Calon-Ségur is blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot that spent a full 20 months in all new French oak. It offers an incredibly powerful, concentrated, classic style in its crème de cassis, graphite, scorched earth, tobacco, and lead pencil aromas and flavors. These give way to an inky, full-bodied 2016 that has perfectly integrated acidity and tannins, subtle background oak, thrilling depth and purity of fruit, and a great, great finish. My money is on it being the greatest wine ever made at this address. Although it shines even today on its purity and balance, it needs 5-7 years of bottle age to hit prime time and will keep for three to four decades.
The 2016 Calon-Ségur is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot aged in 100% new French oak for 20 months. Deep garnet-purple colored, it is a little closed to begin, slowly revealing warm red and black currants, kirsch and plum preserves with wafts of fragrant earth, violets, chocolate box and wood smoke. Medium to full-bodied, elegantly expressed and finely crafted, it has a wonderfully fine-grained texture and bold freshness supporting the densely packed black fruits, finishing long and mineral-laced.
This sports a big, juicy core of delicious dark plum, blackberry and black cherry compote flavors streaked with violet, bay and tobacco notes that add energy. Loam and charcoal accents add the bass line on the finish, where the fruit really kicks into second gear. A no-brainer for the cellar. Best from 2025 through 2040. 6,667 cases made.
Graphite, black currants, walnuts and wet earth on the nose. Great concentration of fruit and a very expressive profile, with vibrancy adding balance. Harmonious tannins that are voluminous but well balanced, combining beautifully with the fruit and structure. Enjoyable now, but will continue to age well. Drink or hold. 10 Years On retrospective.
Fine perfumes from the 18% Cabernet Franc in the blend are balanced by the firm, dark tannins of the Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine has weight and richness as well as a bold, dark structure. It is going to take its time and this powerful wine will not be ready before 2025. (Cellar Selection)
TWI
95pts
The Wine Independent
2016 Calon Segur is a big, dark and dense wine. It has loads of darkish, raw fruit, cigars, cedar, tannins, and rusty notes and would need considerable decanting time if you want to taste it now. As charming as this wine was when just released it is now closed, and I would not touch a bottle for the next 8-10 years. It should be able to merit a higher score when more developed and is a very successful effort for the chateau.
The 2016 Calon Ségur has a slightly savoury bouquet, meat juices infusing the dark berry fruit, hints of cola and rusty piping. The palate is just a little earthy on the entry, open-knit, the tannins a touch more malleable than its peers. Touches of black pepper and piquancy towards the finish; it needs another year in bottle. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.