Chateau Calon-Segur

With a unique and rich history that dates back to the Middle Ages, Calon Segur remains one of Bordeaux's most historic estates in the heart of St. Estephe. Originally classed as a Third Growth estate in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, Calon Segur is renowned for its distinct terroir and the passionate dedication of its stewards. From the late Segur family ownership in the 18th and 19th centuries to the modern-day takeover by French insurance giant, Suravenir, and Petrus owner, Jean-Francois Moueix, Calon-Segur continues to produce wines that embody the power, elegance, and balance of the Left Bank.

Chateau Calon Segur: The Story Behind A Historic Bordeaux Estate

Chateau Calon Segur's history can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when the noble house of Calon crafted wines under the Lords of Lesparre. After centuries of continuing its winemaking tradition, Calon Segur was sold to the Segur family, a historic name in French winemaking history. At the time, the Segur family held control of Châteaux Lafite, Latour, Mouton-Rothschild, Pontet-Canet, and Montrose, creating one of the most powerful winemaking legacies throughout the globe. Nicolas-Alexandre, the Marquis de Segur, famously regarded Calon Segur as his most prized possession, stating, "I make wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is at Calon."

This quote bears a deep meaning for the estate, responsible for the iconic heart symbol found on the front of each label and engraved on the stone walls of Chateau Calon Segur. However, once the Marquis passed away, the estate was sold to the Gasqueton family, who helped to carve the contemporary culture of Calon Segur. From 1824 to 2012, the Gasquetons produced one of St. Estephe's most underrated blends, leading to vintages like the 1995 and 2009 to receive immense fanfare in the buildup to their respective Bordeaux en primeurs.

Then, in 2012, Madame Denise Gasqueton passed away on the first day of the harvest, forcing the family to sell Calon Segur to the French insurance company, Suravenir. Later, the company sold 5% of its ownership to Jean-Francoise Moueix of Petrus, ensuring the estate would be left in great hands. Following the partnership's takeover, immense investments were pumped into the estate, allowing head winemaker Vincent Millet to craft wines of greater pedigree. A new vat cellar and barrel room were built, followed by vineyard restructuring, stricter fruit selection processes, and lower bottle production. Ultimately, the $215 million sale has transformed Calon Segur into one of Bordeaux's prime wine estates.  

Chateau Calon Segur St. Estephe Terroir

Calon Segur crafts its exceptional wines from a 55-hectare vineyard set on a single block surrounded by a thick stone wall that stretches nearly 4,000 feet. The land is dominated by a mosaic of gravel, clay, and sand deposits sculpted by the Gironde Estuary, which provides ideal conditions for vine growth. The gravelly hilltops ensure there is excellent drainage, while the clay subsoils provide essential water retention during dry periods.

With an average vine age of 22 years, Calon Segur's vines are relatively young in Bordeaux, and an increasing amount of cabernet sauvignon is being planted on the land. Currently, the variety comprises 56% of the total vines, though Calon Segur's winemakers hope to push this number closer to 70% by 2032. In addition to the cabernet sauvignon, 35% of the vines are merlot, 7% are cabernet franc, and the remaining 2% are petit verdot. Planted on sun-drenched pebbles, the fruit grows to provide beautiful power and finesse to the final blend, with cabernet sauvignon acting as the Grand Vin's backbone and supported by the additional varieties. 

Chateau Calon Segur Wine

Calon Segur produced three different wines each vintage: the Calon Segur Grand Vin, Le Marquis de Calon Segur, and Saint Estephe de Calon Segur. The Grand Vin is a harmonious blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, and petit verdot, showcasing a perfect mix of delicacy and intensity. Produced in a region known for broad and heavily structured wines, head winemaker Vincent Millet has focused on producing a softer final blend while adding more layers of richness to the texture. With a deep garnet hue in the glass, a warm black fruit palate, and a long spicy finish, Calon Segur has developed into one of Bordeaux's top wines.

Similarly, the second wine, Les Marquis de Calon Segur, offers an approachable yet elegant expression of the estate's character. The bottles are ready-to-drink at a younger age and feature a higher proportion of merlot, creating a rich bouquet of dark berry flavors and a fragrant finish.

Finally, the third wine, Saint Estephe de Calon Segur, is created from the vineyard's youngest vines located on a parcel with the highest percentage of limestone. The final blend is fresh, dynamic, and crafted to be drunk young.

Calon Segur Winemaking

Calon Segur produces a top Bordeaux blend from its renovated chateau, which was given a much-needed upgrade in 2016 following the takeover of Suravenir. The cellar has more than doubled in size, as has the number of vats, while the total production of wines has decreased. This change has allowed Millet to optimize his time and energy, creating a small number of high-quality blends rather than mass-producing a blend for the market. 

Outside of the chateau, each harvest is handled manually, as the fruit is sorted and destemmed by hand before making its way into the stainless steel vats. A pre-fermentation maceration and cold soak take place 18-21 days prior to fermentation, followed by a remontage (modern pump-over) for purer and softer wines. The wine is then aged in 100% new French oak barrels for at least 18 months and fined with egg whites as the final step in the vinification process. Only 80,000 bottles are released annually across all three labels, displaying Calon Segur's commitment to crafting the highest-quality wines possible.

Calon Segur: Heart of Saint-Estèphe

The iconic heart symbol adorning each bottle is a testament to the passion that has fueled Calon Segur for centuries. Inspired by Nicolas-Alexandre de Segur's passion for the estate, the heart has become an iconic representation of Calon Segur's wines. Delicate, elegant, and filled with intensity, each bottle is made to be relished by drinkers and shared with loved ones at various gatherings. 

Discover the Wines of Château Calon-Ségur

Experience the legacy of a storied estate with every sip. Each wine tells a tale of unique terroir, meticulous craftsmanship, and unwavering dedication to the art of winemaking.