Chateau Calon Segur 3eme Cru Classe, Saint-Estephe 1999

The 1999 Calon-Ségur is a vintage that I have not tasted for a decade. The nose is actually more attractive than the 1989 tasted alongside, simply because there is more fruit – mulberry, orange blossom, hints of blueberry – along with melted tar and tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with a bit of hardness on the finish. This is quite a rigid, slightly ossified Calon-Ségur, but there is fine depth. Quite chewy in style with a grippy sour cola finish. I wonder if the Cabernet Sauvignon achieved complete phenolic maturity this year. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the estate.

• Drinking Window: 2019 - 2025
• Reviewer Name: Neal Martin
• Review Date: September 2019