Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Happy Thanksgiving! 🍁🦃🍽

Not in love with the style. Glad it was only $55-$60. We’ll see if it pairs better.

For my palate, there is a lot of funk here. The extraction is much more than I prefer.

The fruits are ruby, ripe, tart, somewhat sour; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, black cherries, blueberries cranberries & pomegranate. Edgy, grey volcanics, moist forest floor, cinnamon to stick, nutmeg, pronounced clove, dark spice, tree sap with bark, dry crushed rocks, eucalyptus, mid herbaceous-sage leafing with fresh, withering & candied florals of; dark, red, purple, blue framed lavender. The acidity is ok. The finish just doesn’t seem right to me. The bottles not corked or off. Just not my style or a very off vintage for them. It also shows elevated alcohol burn.

Can’t say the turkey made it better...did get a little better with my homemade cranberry sauce.

This did come around a bit after nearly 5 hours in the decanter, 9.0 to 9.1. Who thought I should have started decanting it at noon. — 5 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. This week it's a fabulously aged Bordeaux from a great vintage.

Beautiful color of dark brown with a wide brick/ orange rim.

Musty nose with blueberries, black currants, light oak, forest floor, wet leaves, earth, graphite, musty cave, white pepper and tobacco.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs. Soft and elegant.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, plums, currants, oak, smoke, earth, tobacco leaf, spices, graphite, bitter herbs, black tea and black pepper.

Nice length on the finish with soft tannins and tangy pomegranates.

This is a great 29 year old Cabernet Sauvignon based red blend from Bordeaux. Drinking very nicely now, with nice earthy notes, but also enough fruits to balance it out.

Very complex and good pretty much right out of the bottle, and doesn't need decanting.

Probably peaking now. Showing enough fruits with nice balance, but I suggest to drink it within a year or two.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$69. — 6 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.5

Tasted blind. Light tawny but there's a nice brightness in the color. Great old Bordeaux nose. Notes of black raspberry, cherry, moist forest floor, gravel and a little mocha. Amazing complexity in the mouth. This has more going for it in the mouth/finish when compared to the 55 Palmer next to it. The 55 Palmer overall was a better experience, but this was best in class for its complex mouthfeel. Guessed 1961 Palmer. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

On the nose, a touch of barnyard. Sweet & sour dark cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, baked strawberries and hues of blue fruits. Dry crushed rocks, dry stones, rich black turned, soft leather, cedar, underbrush, tobacco, light vanilla & clove, medium spice, limestone, fresh & withering dark red floral bouquet.

The body is just full. The tannins are soft, rounded, chewy & sticky and still have some teeth. The wine elegantly guides smooth over the palate...very little that pushes back. It’s still youthful but not as youthful as my expectation. Sweet & sour dark cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, baked strawberries and hues of blue fruits. Dry crushed rocks, dry stones, rich black turned, soft leather, cedar, underbrush, tobacco, some dry herbal notes, sweet tarry notes, light vanilla & clove, medium spice, powdery limestone, loamy clay & top soil, graphite, dark spice with lifting heat, fresh & withering dark red floral bouquet and haunting violets. The acidity is near perfect. The structure, tension, length are in a very place but, will still improve for another 15+ years. The long, finish is ripe, round, balanced and lasts minutes.

Photos of, the Chateau, Technical Director Vincent Millet, beautiful stainless steel tank room and their new barrel room.

Producer notes & history...historic records show that Calon Segur was in existence as far back as 1147, when it was owned by Monseigneur de Calon. He was an important Bishop in the community. This makes Chateau Calon Segur one of the very oldest properties in Saint Estephe. Eventually, the property came to be owned by Nicolas Alexandre de Segur. Hence where part of the name of the Chateau comes.

After passing through generations, the estate became the property of the famous Marquis de Segur. de Segur is an important figure in Bordeaux history, not only for his ownership of numerous top Bordeaux estates in that day but, he also owned Lafite and Latour. de Segur is credited with uttering the words that spawned the idea behind the heart shaped logo of Calon Segur. The story is that de Segur is quoted as saying: “I make my wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is in Calon.” This famous saying lives on the label of Chateau Calon Segur, where the drawing of a heart is prominently featured on the bottle.

Chateau Calon Segur was one of the original three Bordeaux vineyards in Saint Estephe. In 1825 Chateau Montrose was a forest without a single vine belonging to the massive Calon Segur estate. In fact, Chateau Phelan Segur was also once part of the vast Segur estate. The holdings of the Segur family were so large, they included what would later became Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Latour and Chateau Mouton Rothschild!

The more modern era by European standards began in 1894 when its Left Bank vineyards were purchased by Georges Gasqueton and Charles Hanappier. Hanappier was a large negociant at the time. The Gasqueton family managed the estate until 2012. Madame Gasqueton ran the estate until she passed away at the age of 87 in late September, 2011.

In July of 2012, Chateau Calon Segur was sold for 170 million Euros or 215 million US dollars. The buyer was a French Insurance Company, Suravenir Insurance. Jean-Pierre Moueix, the owner of Petrus and the massive negociant company Duclot also took a minority stake in Chateau Calon Segur.

Since taking over Calon Segur, they started renovating the property with the focus on the wine making facilities. They followed a trend to vinify on a parcel by parcel basis. The estate replaced their older vats with new stainless steel tanks that vary in size and number to match the size of the various vineyard parcels.

The new tanks accompany a completely new vat room as well with everything moving completely by gravity. The new tasting room was remodeled as well. The renovations were completed in 2016.

Their cellars also needed work. Immediately after closing, the new owners began an extensive replanting of the Calon Segur vineyard. There were a number of reasons they chose to do this. They needed to increase the level of vine density and add more Cabernet Sauvignon.

The extensive renovation of Chateau Calon Segur cost somewhere north of 20 Million Euros. Other changes, the new owners took full control and brought in Vincent Millet as the Technical Director.

The 55 hectares of Calon Segur are located just north of the small town of St. Estephe and are planted to 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

Chateau Calon Segur is one of the few walled in vineyards in the Left Bank. Calon Segur is also known as being the northern most Classified Growth in Medoc.

The terroir of Calon Segur is a blend of gravel, rocks, clay, sand and limestone soils on the surface with gravel that can be as deep as 5 meters. Underneath, you find marl, clay and limestone.

On average, the vines are 25 years of age. However, they have older vines that range in age from 45-60 years of age.

The vineyard of Chateau Calon Segur remains almost exactly the same as it did at the time of the 1855 Classification.

Since the remodel was completed, fermentation takes place in 70 conical shaped, stainless steel tanks that range in size from 25 hectoliters to 120 hectoliters. Vintages are now aged in 90% to 100% new, French oak barrels for up to 20 months.

Production of Chateau Calon Segur is around 20,000 cases per year. They also make a second wine, which was originally named Marquis de Calon. Now, the second wine is sold under the name of Le Marquis de Calon Segur.

There is also a third wine, which is sold under two names, La Chapelle de Calon, and St. Estephe de Calon Segur, which is produced from vines that mostly come from a specific plot with more limestone. — 7 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.0

More for #wawinemonth! Not the same as other wines by Randy Dunn but solid WA Cab.

Deep ruby red. Layered and slightly aged nose with damp forest floor, baking spices, black cherries and dark red berries. Moderate tannins (7/10) and medium plus body. Definitely needs time to open and has a touch of heat. Complex palate with some bitter dark cocoa, dark fruits, twigs and black cherries. A bit angular but leveled out with time. A touch vegetal with a super long finish. Drink till 2020. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Leanne Li

9.0

Drinking at home. Black current. Forest floor. Smooth tannin. — 9 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.5

From magnum with low shoulder fill. Dark ruby and opaque. Black cherries, forest floor, warm berry pie fruit in the nose. Very heavy and rich in the mouth. Everyone guessed 82 Bordeaux. If I'm judging, the perfectly balanced 55 Mouton tonite gets the slight edge because the fruit in the 59 Margaux was a bit more dominant than the less evident tannins, structure and acidity. Really good wine experience. — 9 years ago

Jimmy Smith

Director, West and North London Wine School

8.9

1995: not a great vintage on the LB, and expected to be average (classic!) but much better. Good black fruit, plenty of forest floor, mushroom, Earth, leather. Some pretty plummy notes too. Medium bodied, good balanced acid and softened tannin. Meaty, smoky, good gravely notes, tobacco, and average e depth. Decent — 10 years ago

Ryan Guy

9.3

Short decant...Deep plum, forest floor, black berry, cedar bark, a hint of peppercorn. Green bell pepper and eucalyptus are highlighted to. Plush on the palate with generous berry fruit, well balanced, stands up well with ribeye steak. Moderate finish. High quality fruit but a touch thin and shorter than desired.
— 5 years ago

Robert Rothfield

9.6

A great gin (no Vermouth) quarantini!😎 — 5 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

Deep garnet red in appearance. Well rounded nose with truffles, forest floor, black currants, smoke and aniseed. Medium plus tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. A lot of red fruits on the palate and very dry followed by some branches, cherries, herbs and some light spices. Long finish. Drink till 2036. — 6 years ago

with Sean and India

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

There are few simple life pleasures that are as good as my Ribeye and a well cellared, very good vintage of Pichon Lalande.

One of my favorite New Years Eve traditions is to have an old Pichon Lalande and my Ribeye. This one was close to Heaven.

I come from a mother who raised seven kids on her own as my father passed away five months before I was born. An amazing feat on her part. I say this only to say, if you didn’t eat at rapid pace, you didn’t get your fair share. So, I learned to eat quickly as we all did.

However, this steak and a Pichon Lalande takes over an hour and has lasted two hours on several occasions. One small bite of steak and a small sip of the right Pichon Lalande and my eyes roll as my head dips in complete appreciation and study. This 86 was no exception! Pichon Lalande is simply my favorite steak wine.

The nose on the front end reveals some barnyard but, dissipates as it opens in the glass. Saddle-wood & cedar, forest floor & dark cassis. Ripe & slightly baked; blackberries, dark cherries, mixed dark berry liqueur notes, blueberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, cherry notes on the glass edges and high nose. Black licorice, limestone minerals, dry stones, dry brush, steeped tea, light herbaceous notes, burnt caramel, vanillin, dark spice with bright red & blue flowers and dark withering florals.

The body is medium full and flat out gorgeous as it tantalites the palate. It’s a slow sipper. The tannins are slightly tarry & well resolved with years ahead. The structure, tension, length and balance have hit full harmony. Dark cassis, ripe & slightly baked; blackberries, dark cherries, mixed dark berry liqueur notes, blueberries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries, plum and cherry notes on the glass edges and high nose. Black licorice, sweet tarry notes, limestone minerals, dry stones, dry brush, saddle-wood & cedar, forest floor, dark expresso roast, pipe tobacco, soft leather, dry crush rocks, steeped tea, light herbaceous notes, burnt caramel, vanillin, dark spice with bright red & blue flowers and dark withering florals. The acidity is like a waterfall over the palate. The long finish can only be described as ripe, ruby, well balanced Heaven and it is persistent for minutes. Puts on weight with an hour & half plus in the decanter. Tannins also...round, slightly gritty and dusty.

Happy New Year! 🥂🍾🎉🎊🎀🎈

Photos of, Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, painting of Virginie, Countess of Lalande and their barrel room. — 6 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.2

2015 Kutch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. I think we all know Jamie's story, stock trader turned winemaker, so I'll not repeat it here. Suffice it to say that I lived vicariously through him for years as he apprenticed with Michael Browne and then graduated to his own label. A nicer man you will never meet ( and he knows a thing or two about Porsche as well). Expressive nose of cherries, plums, menthol and forest floor. The palate is slightly sweet with cherries, black raspberry, clove and a touch of oak and brambles. In recent years, Jamie has progressed away from the big, over-the-top, high alcohol Pinots currently dominating the California market. This wine has an earthy, Burgundian character with mouth-watering acidity and smooth tannins. 12.9% alcohol. I see your vision Jamie @kutchwines and I'm still interested in that 912.) — 8 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

Third of the blind tasting for Father's Day weekend.

Dark purplish ruby red. Dark fruits on the nose with notes of forest floor and some aged characteristics of mushrooms. Solid acidity and heavy tannins (7/10). Rich palate on the attack with black fruits. Opened up to some anise, a touch aged, earthiness and some minerality. Medium plus body and long finish. Drink till 2028. (91+)

Will leave our last bottle for a few years. Hopefully this will improve with age. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

David Lieberman

9.6

This has always been superior in magnum and this one only reinforced the impression. Still powerful, extracted and opulent. Intoxicating qualities aromatically; leafy forest floor, truffles, but also still, ripe black fruits and some gamey, smokehouse umami. A dreamy finish. I'll wait 10 more years before I open another... — 8 years ago

David L

9.4

12' Edge Hill Field Blend Mixed Blacks 15% ALC. This could possible be one of the darkest wine I've ever poured. It's black. I decanted this for almost 4 hours. The edges have a dark ruby red color to them now.
The nose is almost all blackberries with a touch of lavender. The front of the palate is licorice & oak. The middle/ back of the palate- blackberries, beef jerky, little sweet dark chocolate. This is a powerhouse of a wine. All💪 with hearty, semi-sweet tannins. The acidity/fruit/tannins are all(BIG)& balanced. What a great wine!

Food pairings? Porterhouse steak/ribeye medium rare👌stuffed peppers!?! You could "almost" service with dessert (black forest cake?) just a thought. Cheers everybody!

Now I've got to go take a Brillo pad to my teeth😋. Whitening strips?😬 I want to thank my good friend@Martin G Rivard for such a great wine!! Thanks again buddy. — 9 years ago

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

9.0

Yatir is a boutique winery owned by Carmel winery, they produce this in the south Judgean hills at an altitude of 900 meters, the first vintage was 2001, 2005 was just spectacular, this wine is a blend 77% CS , 13% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot. The color is deep garnet, on the nose black current, cedar, spices, light mint, full body with firm dry tannins, great acidity and a long chewy finish. The wine has matured beautifully over the last decade, and has a few more years left. My score 90, drink to 2019 — 10 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.6

Amazing aromatics that were perfumed, elegant & floral displaying notes of black & blue fruits, violets, meat, spice box, licorice, forest floor with a deep core of mineral. The RSV of Cornas from the master. — 5 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.2

This 41 yr old LLC was still fresh & drinking well showing a little funk in the beginning that quickly blew off with notes of red & black fruits, currant, cedar, leather, forest floor & tobacco leaf. — 5 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

Opaque. Dark and brooding tawny to the rim. Fragrant seductive nose. Notes of black cherry, sweet plums, dark soil, moist forest bark and old tree leaves. With air some cherry pie filling, cracked nuts, mocha and a little clove appear. Rich and silky in the mouth. Smooth. Long finish. Still young. Really good wine. — 6 years ago

Gene Bodemer

9.5

Amazingly still has deep ruby color. Very little sediment. Opened 45-60 min before drinking. It opened up rather quick. Aromas of forest floor, cedar, herb, red and black fruits with super silky tannins and great acidity. Perfectly balanced . Drank more like a really good aged bordeaux. Very sad that Napa doesn't make them like this anymore..I wish I had a cellar full of these old gems. Its like stepping back in time.. — 7 years ago

Patti Gamboni

9.1

All estate, less forest floor and pine (still some) than the 2006, slight meaty thing going on, black cherry, still pretty silly on palate, has some grip though. — 7 years ago

Colleen Wherthey Dunn

9.2

2014 vintage. Surprisingly well balanced for such an inexpensive wine. Fairly tannic with luscious dark berry/cherry notes and quite a bit of spice. Long and lovely finish. Good value red blend. — 7 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Since this is the last Friday of the year, my Cabernet fix is going to be a little different this time.

Dark ruby in color with a short brick /orange rim.

Earthy nose of blueberries, blackberries, black currants, earth, wood, light vanilla, tobacco, peppercorn, espresso, forest floor, leather, pencil lead, light barnyard, licorice, light vanilla, bell pepper and vegetables.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity and nice legs.

Dry and earthy on the palate with blueberries, cherries, oak, licorice, cloves, earth, wet leaves, vegetables, herbs, beef jerky, spices, dark coffee, pencil lead, green pepper, black tea and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

What a wonderful Cabernet based red from Saint Estephe. Nicely balanced and very complex with a great mouthfeel. Earthy and still young, but drinking very nicely now.

Not a great vintage, but so enjoyable by itself or with food. The nose is so complex, that it's so nice just to sniff on.

Needs 3 hours to open up properly and show some tannins.

I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers.

13% alcohol by volume. — 7 years ago

Ted Boydston

9.0

Scents of forest floor, pencil shavings, and violets support this wine's fine pallet of deep bramble notes, black cherries, forest dust, cocoa, and hints of licorice. Sticky, lasting tannins. Somewhat watery mouthfeel. A superb wine on its own; so much so that I almost don't want to pair it. Worth seeking out. — 8 years ago

Tom Wood

9.4

Get at it with a knife and fork. Chocolate powder, Black Forest, soy, stout-like tar, licorice and plum jam. Tar-like density on the palate with insane delivery and drive behind it. Tannins have developed an elegance that I was not expecting and it hides its alcohol. Long, long finish on this. — 9 years ago

JJ Lumia

9.1

Black cherry, with toasty oak, cigar box and forest floor. Smooth and supple. Good structure and backbone. $18 at Trader Joe's. Great QPR. Stock up. — 9 years ago

Marissa Reibstein

9.2

Black sexy berries and forest floor- to be clear- wet leaves and mushroom - and luscious — 9 years ago

with Chris and Marisa

Lewis Chester

9.4

Monkey 47 Dry Distiller Gin. Slightly hazy, water white, colourless. Pronounced intensity of perfume, juniper, lingonberry, violets, lavender, orange and grapefruit zest. With water added, more perfume and citrus notes to the fore. Dry on the palate. Warming alcohol, medium body, pronounced flavour intensity. Long finish. Very complex. Outstanding example of a premium gin. — 10 years ago

Riccardo L.

9.9

Peekaboo of flavours. First black fruit, then cherry, then forest berries, then oak, then a TKO to the mouth, Mike Tyson style. WOW. #jesusblood — 10 years ago