The classic Gasqueton years, when Calon was for the initiated, and they held on fervently to their insider status. Beautiful ruby red colour, rapsberry puree and cocoa dusting aromatics, still young, a wonderfully embracing tannic frame, rapsberrry, blueberry and loganberry fruits, slate-scraping minerality, just a gorgeous wine that is bursting out of the glass and still has so much more to give. Balanced, mouthwatering, persistent, just at the start of its long and pleasure-filled life, showcasing so much that is wonderful about 2005. Get on board. This is a 2 point higher score than the last time I tasted in April 2021, reflecting that the 2005s are just right now beginning to open up. 50% new oak.

Tasted from an ex-château bottle at BI Wine & Spirits Calon-Segur dinner in London, the 2005 Calon Segur is on par with the wonderful 2000. The only real difference is that this needs more time in bottle. It has a captivating nose: blackberry and boysenberry fruit coming at you at full pelt; dried blood and bacon fat developing as secondary aromas just behind. There is fine delineation here - an underlying mineralité sure to surface with time. The palate is very intense and disarmingly youthful, almost ferrous on the entry with layers of ripe black fruit that segue into an earthy finish (with a curious light tang of Marmite on the aftertaste!). It is a fabulous Calon Ségur, though the millennial wine might ultimately possess greater precision. We will see. Tasted March 2015. - Neal Martin

Firm and structured, the Calon-Ségur remains surprisingly muscular. Produced from a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and a splash of Petit Verdot, all aged in new casks, this shows a bright redcurrant and mint nose with a bit of spice and smoke. The feel on the palate is tannic and firm, perhaps lacking a bit of generosity at this point, but the rich extract suggests that with time it should come around.

The Château Calon-Ségur 2005 is beautifully refined on the nose with blackberry, raspberry, iron rust and sage on the nose that is very focused and gains intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins so that if feels, tightly wound with an insistent but not oppressive grip. It feels almost impenetrable on the broody, introspective finish, a wine that clearly needs another decade in bottle to mellow and become accessible. I find this more impressive more than pleasurable at the moment. 93+

Has a beautiful nose of crushed berry spices and nutmeg with a hint of coffee. Then turns to licorice. Full-bodied with supersilky tannins and a long finish of vanilla berry and cinnamon. Beautifully crafted. Best after 2014. 17500 cases made. -JS

60% Cabernet Sauvignon 40% Cabernet Franc. Purple that fades to ruby flecks near the rim. Fresh black berries and cassis. Very powerful and complex wine also showing notes of cocoa and caramel. The possible drawback here are the very high and somewhat harsh tannins. This one will need time.maybe 10 years before you touch it. Nevertheless overall this was a delicious wine.

Mushroom, truffle, cedar wood, forest floor and spicy cassis are found in the nose. Full bodied, fresh, crisp and tannic, with a stern, masculine edge to its character, the wine demands at least another decade before it is fun to drink. The wine was produced from a blend of 43% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2005&wine=Chateau%20Calon-Segur

The 2005 Calon Ségur, which was matured in 75% new oak, has a powerful and burly nose: quite intense black fruit meet star anise and cough candy scents. This has fine delineation, even if a little rustic compared to the wines nowadays. The palate is smooth on the entry, and the tannins have softened since I last tasted this. With its higher percentage of Merlot driving the flavours, you might well place this on the Right Bank. Touches of black truffle emerge towards the finish and there is decent aftertaste. This just comes across as rather "tough" compared to contemporary Calon Ségur. Tasted at the château. -- Neal Martin