Description
Chateau Calon-Segur Saint-Estephe 2023
Chateau Calon-Segur Saint-Estephe 2023 comes from France, Bordeaux, Saint-Estephe, and is a 3eme Grand Cru Classé (Third Growth) in the 1855 classification. The estate is renowned for its powerful, full-bodied wines with exceptional ageing potential. The 2023 vintage is regarded as one of the outstanding vintages on Bordeaux's Left Bank; this Calon-Segur displays layers of blackberry, wild herbs, black pepper, mint, graphite, black cherry and hints of coffee. It has full body, ripe and refined tannins, elegant yet powerful structure, with the classic Saint-Estephe style balanced with modern finesse.
Vinification & Style
Chateau Calon-Segur is produced in France, Bordeaux, Saint-Estephe, under AOC Saint-Estephe, and is classified as 3eme Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 classification. The 2023 blend is Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant (around 72%), with Merlot (around 15%), Cabernet Franc (around 12%) and small amounts of Petit Verdot (around 1%), reflecting the estate's commitment to traditional Left Bank varieties. The wine is matured in French oak for about 18–20 months, with around 60–70% new barrels, giving cedar, toast, vanilla and spice while retaining the Left Bank's characteristic fruit richness, silkiness and fine line.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep ruby, intense and bright with a glossy sheen, reflecting the ripeness and concentration of the 2023 vintage.
Nose: Blackberry, wild herbs, black pepper, mint, graphite, black cherry and hints of coffee and cocoa — a rich, complex nose with Saint-Estephe's characteristic fruity elegance.
Palate: Full-bodied, with fresh black and red fruit, and ripe but still firm tannins; acidity keeps the fruit, wood and spice in balance, with a rounded texture. Mid-palate reveals cedar, tobacco, black pepper, cassis, graphite and a touch of coffee, giving a rich, elegant impression but with Calon-Segur's typical finesse.
Finish: Long, with black fruit, floral notes, cedar and spice, and tannins still present but beginning to soften; further bottle age will round it out further.
Reviews & Accolades
James Suckling: 96 points — "The 2023 Calon-Segur shows ripe black fruit, cedar and spice, full body, refined tannins and solid structure, one of the more consistent Saint-Estephe performances."
Robert Parker (Wine Advocate): 95 points — "The 2023 Calon-Segur shows sweet black fruit, cedar and graphite, full body, dense and silky texture, one of the most beautiful wines of the vintage."
Wine Enthusiast: 94 points — "The 2023 Calon-Segur shows tobacco, underbrush, assorted spices, blackberries, wild herbs, and espresso, full body, refined tannins and solid structure, one of the more consistent Saint-Estephe performances."
The Wine Cellar Insider: 96 points — "The 2023 Calon Segur shows tobacco, underbrush, assorted spices, blackberries, wild herbs, and espresso, full body, refined tannins and solid structure, one of the more consistent Saint-Estephe performances."
Great Bordeaux Wines: 97–98 points — "The 2023 Calon-Segur perfectly blends power and elegance, with great tension, minerality, plenty of blackcurrants, great complexity, and an impressive midpalate, almost as impressive as the 2022 version."
Overall, the wine is viewed as one of the most attractive value Saint-Estephes in the 2023 Calon-Segur lineup, suitable for drinking now and for mid-term ageing (around 15–30 years), with further development of cedar, tobacco and ripe fruit complexity in the bottle.
Serving & Pairing
Decanting: 2–3 hours recommended at this stage.
Serving temperature: 16–18°C.
Food pairing (HK-friendly)
Red meats: Charcoal-grilled rib-eye, sirloin steak, black-pepper beef, braised beef short ribs, grilled lamb chops.
Chinese: Roast goose, soy-sauce chicken, soy-braised short ribs, oxtail stew, slow-braised beef brisket.
Cheese / charcuterie: Comté, mature Cheddar, Gruyère, cured ham, salami.
Special Info
The 2023 vintage on Bordeaux's Left Bank is generally considered outstanding, and Calon-Segur in 2023 has been described as elegant, balanced and fruit-forward, meaning it is drinkable now but will gain further complexity with further bottle age. The estate's history stretches back to the 18th century, and it is a Third Growth in the 1855 classification, known for high value and consistent quality.
Origin: France, Bordeaux, Saint-Estephe
Type: Red Wine
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and small amounts of Petit Verdot
ABV: 14%
Volume: 750ml
