Château Calon Ségur 1999 is a graceful, fully evolved Saint-Estèphe, offering aromas of cherry, sweet berries and dried herbs, layered with subtle notes of spice, earth and soft tertiary complexity. Medium-bodied and elegant, the palate is supple, refined and balanced, with softening tannins and gentle acidity. More finesse than power, it unfolds into a smooth, savoury finish with delicate fruit and earthy nuance, reflecting the charm and maturity of a well-aged vintage.

The Wine Advocate | RP 87
Published: Apr 30, 2002
Drink: 2002-2012

This supple 1999 is an elegant, lighter-styled Calon-Segur, particularly when compared to the 2000. It exhibits an evolved color, sweet cherry and dusty berry fruit, and hints of dried herbs. It is a spicy, cherry-flavored effort with a style reminiscent of a Beaune premier cru. The blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc has resulted in a wine of elegance and finesse rather than one with a lot of stuffing and power. Drink it during its first 7-10 years of life.

Calon-segur.fr

The Grand Vin of Calon Ségur mirrors its terroir. It is rare, authentic and stirs the soul. In the most natural way, it reveals both great delicacy and outstanding intensity. All the magic of Calon is in this balance. The wine is aged in new oak barrels for 20 months, the tannins of the oak integrating harmoniously over time with the tannins of the grapes. The style is brought by a Cabernet Sauvignon which expresses its finesse without arrogance. Elegance is to be found everywhere, in the purity of the wine’s flavours, in the delicacy of its texture, while its depth and length are also superb. The wine’s extraordinary ability to age many years in bottle is another feature of the estate. The 1947, 1953 and 1982 vintages, by way of example, still display astonishing signs of youth.

Technical Specs

Alcohol: 13.0%
Closure: Natural Cork
Harvest: 1999
Oak: Approximately 18 months in French oak, with increased use of new oak during this period
Varietals: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
Vineyard Area: 55 ha
Harvest: Hand-picked
Consulting Oenologist: Éric Boissenot
Region: Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux
Classification: 3rd Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 Classification

Serving Temperature: 16–18°C
Decanting: 30–45 minutes, mainly to remove sediment
Food Pairing: Roast beef, lamb, duck, venison, beef Wellington, mushrooms, truffle dishes and mature hard cheeses