Château Calon Ségur

In most years, wines from Bordeaux, particularly the top level ones, either need to be drunk early with plenty of decant time or should be cellared for many years. On my birthday this year, we decanted and drank a great bottle of wine, 1995 Château Calon Ségur, a Third Growth in the 1855 classification, located in St. Estèphe in the northern Haut-Medoc. I thought that It would be interesting to describe the barrel tasting at the Château in September of 2009. Château Calon Ségur 2008 St. Estèphe Third Growth Calon Ségur has a label featuring a heart since a proprietor who also owned Lafite and Latour said that his heart was in Calon. We needed quite a bit of help to locate the winery. Our host was M Vincent Millet, a very reserved individual. After our return,

Château Lynch Bages Pauillac 2006
This château dates back to 1691. Even though it was classified as a fifth growth, it is considered a “super second’ and sells at a higher price. Jean Michel Cazes is considered an icon in the wine business for improving the quality of this property and wine everywhere else as well. I had met him in Seattle in 1993. Even though he had stepped down as president, in September 2009, I asked if he was in the winery. He was in and graciously came downstairs and chatted with us for a few minutes. His son George Charles now runs the operation. The wine is made from about 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine is always fragrant and is well balanced with excellent fruit and a lingering finish. Oak barrels are utilized but the wine is always harmoniously integrated. With decanting, this can be consumed early but the château has a proven track record for long cellaring. Recommended retail price is around $97.00.