2019 Château Calon Ségur 3. Cru Saint-Estèphe

The 2019 Calon Ségur was cropped at 40hl/ha between 25 September and 9 October, underwent a 20-day cuvaison and matured entirely in new oak from nine cooperages. Like the second wine, it is initially closed on the nose, yet all it needs is five minutes for the aromas to burst from the glass with raspberry, bilberry, crushed violet and freshly rolled tobacco. The palate is the smoothest that I have ever encountered at this stage, silky and refined, framing the pure black fruit infused with minerals. This 2019 is a step up from the previous vintage, a Calon Ségur with newfound elegance and wind in its sails. Bon vin.

This estate continues its stately quality progress with a vintage that brings out great richness as well as a serious, structured side. The blueberry flavors are shot through with tannins that contrasts with the wine's succulent fruitiness. As the wine matures, that fruit will shape the wine's future as much as the tannins. This is for the long term.