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Château Calon-Ségur Saint-Estèphe 2018

Updated · Sep 9, 2026

Producer
Château Calon-Ségur
Region
Saint-Estèphe · FR
Vintage
2018
Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

Château Calon-Ségur is an esteemed Third Growth estate in the Saint-Estèphe appellation of Bordeaux's northern Médoc. Famed for its historic stone-walled vineyard and heart-emblazoned label reflecting the Marquis de Ségur's enduring devotion, the estate commands a gravel plateau atop a clay-limestone base. Benefiting from extensive winery modernisation, the estate crafts Cabernet-dominated grand vins renowned for power, structure, and extraordinary longevity, with the solar 2018 vintage expressing exceptional density.

Tasting review

From the review saved in Maison Apéro for this wine and vintage.

Château Calon-Ségur is an esteemed Third Growth estate in the Saint-Estèphe appellation of Bordeaux's northern Médoc. Famed for its historic stone-walled vineyard and heart-emblazoned label reflecting the Marquis de Ségur's enduring devotion, the estate commands a gravel plateau atop a clay-limestone base. Benefiting from extensive winery modernisation, the estate crafts Cabernet-dominated grand vins renowned for power, structure, and extraordinary longevity, with the solar 2018 vintage expressing exceptional density.

Structured tasting profile

ClarityClear
IntensityDeep
ColorRuby
Aroma intensityMedium+
DevelopmentDeveloping
SweetnessDry
AcidityMedium+
TanninHigh
AlcoholHigh
BodyFull
Flavour intensityPronounced
FinishLong
QualityOutstanding
Readiness for drinkingCan drink, with potential

Primary

Black fruit, Floral, Spice

Secondary

Oak

Tertiary

Bottle age (red)

Quality markers

✓ Balance, ✓ Length, ✓ Intensity, ✓ Complexity

Up to 8 aromas across all three categories, with a target of 4–5 palate flavours. Only supported descriptors are listed; absences do not count as aromas. Red check counts are not scores.

Expert commentary

The 2018 Calon-Ségur displays an opulent core of black fruits supported by firm, fine-grained tannins and luxurious oak framing. Elevated alcohol and high extraction are expertly counterbalanced by crisp acidity and deep gravelly minerality, yielding an assertive, expansive finish.

Serving and ageing guide

Château Calon-Ségur 2018 is of outstanding quality, achieving remarkable balance between its muscular high tannins, warming alcohol, and dense concentration of dark fruit. On intensity, the medium plus nose intensity and high flavour intensity slightly diverge, as the tightly coiled aromatic profile expands into an explosive, layered palate of cassis, spice, and graphite. The wine shows immense complexity across fruit, oak, and developing tertiary realms, supported by an exceptionally persistent high finish. Currently, the wine can drink now but has potential for ageing. While the rich fruit makes it approachable after aerating, its massive structural framework guarantees superior development over the next 20 to 30 years. For service today, decant for two to three hours and serve at 16–18°C alongside roast rib of beef, venison loin, or duck confit.

Appearance

Tasting Review Example Réserve

Advanced analysis Grand

Nose

Tasting Review Example Réserve

Advanced analysis Grand

Palate

Tasting Review Example Réserve

Advanced analysis Grand

Quality

Tasting Review Example Réserve

Advanced analysis Grand

Readiness for drinking

Tasting Review Example Réserve

Advanced analysis Grand

Read Réserve and Grand sections by signing in to Maison Apéro with the corresponding plan.

Maison Apéro uses a multi-stage validation process. This tasting review is data-driven reference information created from wine information and analytical signals. Actual aromas, flavours and condition may vary by bottle, storage, service and individual perception, so it is not a definitive assessment.