2013 Calon-Segur
By Chateau Calon-Segur
2013 Calon-Segur from Chateau Calon-Segur, St-Estephe, Bordeaux, France
In the complex tapestry of Bordeaux vintages, the 2013 Calon-Segur from Chateau Calon-Segur speaks with a subtlety that beckons the discerning palate. The year 2013 saw Bordeaux grapple with a capricious Mother Nature, resulting in a vintage that has been eschewed by many for its challenging provenance. Yet within these tribulations, Calon-Segur crafted a testament to their resilience and adept craftsmanship.
An Expression of Endurance and Elegance
As the managing winds of fate swept across the vineyards of St-Estephe, Calon-Segur confronted climatic adversity head-on. What followed was a careful selection, leading to a wine denoted by its poise under pressure. The maritime influence of this Northern Medoc appellation instilled in the 2013 vintage a backbone of acid and tannin upon which the subtle fruit hangs with finesse.
The Nuanced Palette of 2013
Ruby in hue with just the first whispers of garnet at the edges, this vintage shows complexity beyond its years. The nose reveals earthy undertones; truffles and wet forest floor fusing seamlessly with more precise notes of blackcurrant and hints of cedar. On the palate, one is greeted by an ensemble of layered flavour - a blend where Merlot's pliancy meets the austere structure of Cabernet Sauvignon - rounded out by the spicy nuances offered by Petit Verdot.
The mouthfeel retains a composed structure, suggestive of potential longevity despite the challenges posed during its creation. Decanting unearths latent brightness in the wine—a chime in a melody predominated by matured dark fruits entwined with savoury spice and tobacco.
A Defiant Vintage for Strategic Investment
In the sphere of fine wine investment, it is not uncommon for standout exceptions to emerge from underdog years. The 2013 Calon-Segur is just such an exemplar, promising to deliver returns as it surprises with its evolution. With nurture, expect this poised performer to unfurl liberally in complexity over time.
Navigating troubled waters led Chateau Calon-Segur to produce an unexpectedly mature 2013 offering—a Sterling vintage braced against the tempests of Bordelais weather. In closing, it’s these resilient vintages which often age with grace—similarly, they ought to refine portfolio diversity with their storied past and promising future.
Market price (GBP)
£790.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
60.77
Scores and tasting notes
The 2013 Calon Segur is unquestionably one of the stars of the vintage. The harvest ran from early October for the Merlot grape and to the second full week of October for the Cabernet Sauvignon. I don't recall (although I'd have to go through all my notes for the last 3-4 years) a Calon Segur with this high a percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, as Merlot has always been a prominent player in the final blend. It is opaque purple in color with a glorious nose of incense, creme de cassis, licorice and a touch of graphite. The wine is full-bodied, opulent, fleshy and surprisingly deep and dense, especially for a wine from this vintage. It is almost atypically thick and rich for a 2013. Nevertheless, the tannins are soft and the wine should be relatively approachable after 2-3 years bottle age. This is a property on the move, upward. Smart and shrewd readers will take a look at this vintage, as well as future vintages of Calon Segur, a terroir with true first-growth potential.
Calon Segur was purchased from the Gasqueton family by Suravenir, a large French insurance company. It is no secret that this is one of the greatest vineyards in Bordeaux, if not the world, and while the wines have always been impressive, there has always been considerable room for improvement. 2013 may mark an historic transition from a consistently excellent-to-outstanding wine, to one that is poised to be another potential first-growth of the Medoc. The yields were 36 hectoliters per hectare producing a final blend of 92 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot with an impressive natural alcohol level of 13.1%.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #214 Aug 2014
The 2013 Calon Segur is a Saint Estèphe that should not be ignored. It has developed an attractive bouquet with blackberry, graphite and a hint of vanilla in the background. No, it is not an intense bouquet, yet winemaker Vincent Millet has conjured aromatics that frankly shade many other Left Bank properties this year. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and crisp acidity. There is tangible energy here with a cohesive and silky textured finish. What is lacks in depth it compensates with a sense of panache. It will be earlier drinking than other vintages, but the class comes through. Bravo to Vincent and his team for making the best wine they possibly could in this challenging vintage.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 October 2016