2018 Marquis de Calon, Saint-Estèphe

The 2018 Le Marquis de Calon-Ségur is a blend of 53% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Sauvignon (14.9% alcohol). It is anticipated to age for 17 months in barriques, 30% new. Deep purple-black in color, it gives up opulent scents of Indian spices, menthol and plum preserves with a core of crème de cassis, baked cherries and raspberry pie plus a hint of sandalwood. Big, rich, full-bodied and voluptuously fruited in the mouth, it has bags of black fruit preserves and exotic spices with a firm, plush frame, finishing long with a minty lift. Definitely one for the hedonists!

A luxurious wine with really a rather beautiful texture to the palate. You get the sweetness of the black cherry and damson fruits - gorgeous flavours that make this a hedonistic style of Marquis de Calon that will make lots of people very happy. I almost hate to add that, as with the grand vin, I question the typicity and the touch of heat. The alcohols are so much higher than usual because the ripening happened quicker than usual, and the soils here are a kind of clay that heats up more quickly than cooler limestone and clay soils as found at Capbern. 41hl/ha yield. 3.65pH.

A fruity and pretty second wine with medium body, fine tannins and a juicy and earthy undertone.

The 2018 Le Marquis de Calon Ségur is a drop-dead gorgeous second wine from Calon Ségur. Bright, lifted and punchy, the 2018 has so much to offer. Expressive floral, savory and spiced notes from the Cabernet add shades of nuance to a core of dark red and purplish berry fruit. Beautifully textured and inviting, the Marquis is positively stunning in 2018. The blend is 53% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, mostly young vines planted between 2008 and 2012. It is a gorgeous second wine from Calon Ségur. Tasted four times.