Chateau Calon-Segur, a Third Classified Growth, is one of the oldest estates in the Medoc, with historians dating its origins back to the Gallo-Roman era. The first part of its name is derived from the term “calones”, which were small transport boats that travelled up and down the Gironde estuary. The Segur part was later added by Nicolas-Alexandre, the Marquis de Segur who also owned Latour, Lafite and Mouton.

Winegrowing at Calon can be traced back to the 12th century but it wasn’t until the 18th century, in Nicolas-Alexandre’s time, that the finest chapter of the property’s history was written. The marquis declared his love for his favorite estate by his famous quote: “I make wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is at Calon.” The main feature of the heart on the wine’s label is a symbol of this love.

The vineyard of Calon-Segur is comprised of fifty-five hectares (136 acres) made up of one single block adjacent to the village of Saint-Estephe and completely surrounded by a stone wall. The combination of clay and gravel soils provides power and finesse to the grand vin of Calon-Segur where Cabernet Sauvignon is the backbone.

In addition to the grand vin, the estate produces a second wine (Le Marquis de Calon Segur), and a third wine (Saint-Estephe de Calon Segur) mainly produced from the estate’s young vines.

The Grand Vin of Calon Segur is the mirror image of its terroir, revealing both lovely softness and amazing intensity. The vines, 8,000 per hectare, are planted on deep gravel that lies atop clay. 54% of the vines are Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

The manual harvest is followed by both shake-table and hand-sorting. Fermentation is in temperature-controlled conical stainless-steel tanks with maceration for 18 to 21 days. The wine ages 18 to 20 months in 30% new French oak barrels and are fined with egg whites.

The 2020 Calon Segur Bordeaux Blend is a highly acclaimed wine from the St Estephe sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This red wine, produced by Calon Segur, boasts a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. It has an alcohol content of 14.5% and is sealed with a cork closure. The wine has received exceptional reviews from multiple renowned critics, making it a standout vintage.

James Suckling awarded the wine a score of 96, describing it as having "blueberries, blackberries, spearmint, currants and sweet spices on the nose," with "muscular yet velvety tannins" that "melt seamlessly into the wine." He suggests that the wine will be better from 2025.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave the 2020 Calon Segur an impressive 97 points. William Kelley praised its "aromas of cassis, red berries, fresh mint, pencil shavings, violets and rose petals," and noted its "vibrant core of fruit, powdery structuring tannins and a long, perfumed finish." Kelley emphasized the wine's integration and harmony, calling it "one of the finest vintages that Vincent Millet and his team have produced to date."

Decanter rated the wine 98 points, highlighting its "very deep perfumed nose" and "super-smooth and silky" palate. The review noted the wine's balance, energy, and freshness, with "blackcurrant, black cherry and plum offset by a cooling minerality."

Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider also awarded it 98 points, describing it as "powerful, rich, deep, long, and packed with layers of dark, red, and black fruits." He mentioned the wine's "intensity, depth of flavor, power, ripe tannins, vibrance," and suggested it would improve with a few years in the cellar.

Jeb Dunnuck rated it the highest with 99 points, calling it "pure gold and another masterpiece from this estate." He noted its "heavenly bouquet of red and black currants, truffly earth, iron, espresso, and tobacco leaf," and praised its "incredible purity of fruit, full-bodied richness, and ultra-fine tannins."

Other reviewers, including Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, Vinous, and Jane Anson, also gave high marks, ranging from 95 to 98 points, each noting the wine's rich flavors, powerful structure, and aging potential.

Overall, the 2020 Calon Segur is a remarkable wine with exceptional reviews, showcasing the skill and dedication of its producers.