Le Marquis De Calon Segur 2017 (750ML)

92 JS / 90 DE / 90 VM / 90 WS / 90 JD

Terra cotta, red-berry pastry and a wild-herb thread, too. The palate has firm, wrapped tannin, cradling ripe cassis and blueberry flavors. Round, juicy tannins. Some vanilla now. A blend of 57% merlot, 38% cabernet sauvignon and 5% cabernet franc. Second wine of Château Calon-Ségur. Drink or hold. - James Suckling

This has a floral edge to it and a depth of blueberry fruit that's a little shy at first but comes through on the mid-palate. I like how this fits together, with carefully placed fruits and soft tannins. This isn't an especially powerful Marquis and should be ready to drink within 3 to 4 years, lasting for at least fifteen. There was no frost at Calon, just the dry summer interrupted by 40-50mm of rain at the end of June and then 80mm in September to contend with. This was around the same amount as in 2015, but in September 2015 it fell over two days, whereas this year the rain lasted around 10, which was fine for the Cabernets but a little trickier for the Merlots. 50% of production went to Marquis de Calon, and 10% to the third wine, St-Estèphe de Calon, not tasted here. 30% new oak. Yield of 43.5hl/ha. 3.6pH. - Jane Anson, Decanter

The 2017 Le Marquis de Calon-Ségur, bottled in May 2019, offers attractive blackberry, raspberry coulis and light briary aromas on the nose, which is well defined. The palate is very Pauillac in style with graphite-tinged black fruit, reflecting the higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon now used in the blend. This will form delightful drinking over the next 5 to 8 years. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Lively, with damson plum and red currant fruit, gilded with floral notes and backed by a bright iron streak on the finish. Very pure and fresh. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2021 through 2030. 11,667 cases made. - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

This estate has been firing on all cylinders, and they’ve produced two outstanding wines in 2017. The 2017 Marquis de Calon is the second wine and is 57% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc that was brought up in 30% new barrels and hit 13.2% natural alcohol. This medium-bodied, elegant Saint-Estephe has plenty of Merlot flesh and charm as well as terrific cassis fruit and notes of cedary herbs and flowers. It’s already impossible to resist, yet I suspect it will evolve for 10-15 years in cool cellars. - Jeb Dunnuck