Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I haven’t had a Bordeaux in a while. Especially, with a Ribcap. So, why not an 82? The vintage Robert Parker made his career as the only critic who called it correctly.

Very good 80’s Bordeaux were my first true wine love. Their style & 12-13% ABV will always be my cherished infatuation. Wished it had never changed.

Bought this Calon Segur on the secondary market several yrs ago. Tricky cork. Used my Durand. All good. Fill line perfect, no bottle neck tannin burn but plenty of velvety sediment.

If any of you ever wondered why there is a heart on the label. Here is the interesting reason…

It symbolizes the estate's deep-rooted history and the affection of its former owner, the Marquis de Ségur. Despite owning prestigious estates like Château Lafite and Château Latour, he famously declared, "I make wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is at Calon." His sentiment is immortalized by the heart emblem on the label.

Opened it and let it breathe from the bottle for 45 minutes. Tasted it and decanting it in stages. Then, stopped 1/2 way through and poured the bottom half of the bottle from the bottle.

82 is such a grand, classic vintage. For the most part, I drink Calon Segur’s too early, even at 20 yrs of age. I don’t want to say it is a long in tooth as its neighbor, Montrose, but it is close. This 82 is drinking perfectly w/ 41 yrs in bottle and will hold another 5 yrs. Such soft, perfectly darkish spices with elegantly ripe fruits.

This 82 glides over the palate. There is only beautiful elegance, nothing bites back. The fruits are older (not old or past their prime), ripe fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums but lean plum vs black, dark cherries, crazy, outstanding, hoovering raspberries with notes of blueberries & shades of freshly picked rhubarb. Some black cherry cola, anise to understated black licorice, dark chocolate pudding, caramel, layered, gentle baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & vanillin, touch of sun tea, old leather, dryish to fresh tobacco w/ash, charcoal, elegant graphite, dry limestone powder, dry river pebbles, black, rich earth w/ dry leaves, magical, dark spices, grey volcanics, dry stems, just a hint of dry herbs, dry top soil, fresh & withering dark, red flowers, red roses, grand acidity with perfect; balance, tension, structure and a grand, gentle finish that goes on & on and eventually lands on an amazing soft buffet of earthiness.

This is a wine that is technically a 94, but w/ evolution & style a 97. Amazing bottle that you don’t want to end.

$500 a bottle today through the app. Somewhere around $10 upon release. — 4 months ago

Robert Stackowiak

9.7

Beautiful fragrance and on the palate after 20 minute exposure to air. Dark cherry but nice balance. After 14 years, awesome. October 2025. — 7 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Bright medium ruby , quite thin violet rim . Quite discreet and fine, reserved on the nose . Red cherry , cassis , mineral tinged blackberry, after a while pomegranate. On the palate this is very detailed and precise , great freshness and with more red fruit, cherry , red plum , blackberry , wet slate , saline oyster shell with very fine tannins . Long mineral finish . Very young obviously but incredibly elegant and fresh . Will need time , this closed up quite a lot after time in the decanter . Better in 10 -15 years , will last well a further 10-15 . Incredibly promising . — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Blend of mostly Tempranillo with a splash of Graciano, deep Ruby with dark edges, aromas of berry fruit, complex spice, oak with earthy notes. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry fruits with cacao, leather, cinnamon and pepper spice. Fine tannins, good balance, medium+ finish, nice mouthfeel, ending with fruit, oak and spice. Very Nice. Consistent quality. — 3 years ago

Scott E. Becker

9.1

[Tasted on July 25, 2022 at Santo in Nashville with Rachel]

Red plum and cherry fruit with iron, licorice, spice, chalk and leather. Fuller style of Brunello. Well balanced and integrated. — 4 years ago

ESF

9.3

Yeah yeah, I know this is not considered a great vintage, but this is a Cracking Claret! Leaner in style and not a verbose powerhouse, it still delivers an elegant rendition of traditional Pauillac flavors. The cherry was more like kirsch liqueur, the cassis, graphite, leather, gravel, tobacco, the bay leaf... all beautifully delineated and intense. The mid palate was polished to perfection. Tannins are sturdy enough but seamless & integrated. The finish persists and invites another drink. Got these on a great deal from K&L back in the day and glad I did! In a great drinking window right now. — 5 years ago

Anthony Cammarata Jr.

9.5

From the start this 1998 Opus had a beautiful nose of cherry and plum, with notes of cedar and herbs. On the palate, the wine is refined and silky, with tannins and flavors of dark fruit and notes of leather, cocoa, espresso, and spice, finishing long and polished. — 5 months ago

with Michael and Daniel

Tom Garland

9.3

2 hour decant. A marvelous medium garnet color (decent fine sediment). On the nose: dark berries, cassis, forest floor, sandalwood, pencil shavings, chocolate, and cigar box. Taste: layered, balanced, still young wine with dark cherry/plum, cedar, dark chocolate, charcoal, and a lingering tobacco/leather finish. YUM! No hurry, a long distance Las Cases. — 6 months ago

with Brenda

Jordin Page

9.0

Gorgeous ruby color. Aromas of black cherry, pepper, and spice the nose. On the palate, dry, medium tannins, high acidity, medium body, flavors of red and black fruit, pepper and tobacco. — 6 months ago

Jason Phillips

9.4

Deep ruby color. Red fruit, black currant, and cedar on the nose. Dry and bold. Flavors of blackberrt, chocolate, oak, and coffee. Medium+ tannins and acid with a great finish. Number 2 in top 100 in Wine Spectator. — 7 months ago

John W

9.1

Maroon coloration. On the nose, cherry, florals, leather, minerals, and vanilla. On the palate, cherry, red berry, earth, minerals, stronger acidity and tannins present but not overpowering. A Barolo with more finesse than power. — 9 months ago

Scott E. Becker

9.1

[Tasted on August 9, 2025 at answer in Nashville with Linda]

Cherry and cranberry fruit, with black tea and spice. — 9 months ago

John W

9.4

Dark ruby coloration. On the nose, jammy berries, oak, vanilla and cassis. On the palate, dark berries, vanilla, cherry, nice finish. Tannins still strong. Very nice wine. — 4 years ago

Hayden Hamilton

9.0

Waiting a long time on this one. Brought back from Chile in 2005. Not a huge cab fan but this is impressive. We’ll structured and complex. Tobacco, black pepper, dark cherry, caramel apple, spice and almost a tawny port finish and color. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Aldo Vaira took control of family vineyards in 1968, he was just 15 years old. Today, G.D. Vajra consists of 150 acres, mostly around the commune of Barolo. Ruby with a rich bouquet of fruit, spices & floral notes, fruit from several vineyards, aged 26 months in Slavonian oak. On the palate flavors of cherry & raspberry with notes of pepper, cinnamon & floral, slight earthy notes. Long finish, nice balance with fine soft tannins ending with earthy floral notes. Enjoyable now, a few more years will benefit. — 5 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

The name of the estate comes from "Ca' Pazzo", shown on ancient maps. Caparzo is owned by Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini, she also owns Altesino, her signature is on the label! Deep Ruby with berry fruit aromas with cedar, herbs and smoke, aged for 2 years on oak. On the palate sour cherry, plum & radpberry flavors, with leather, cacao, spice and tobacco notes. Lively acidity, fine slightly drying tannins, long ending with spicy herb oak finish. Nice, drinks well, decant! — 6 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Williams Selyem – Pinot Noir – Vintage 2023
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An exquisitely balanced Pinot Noir that bridges sophistication and accessibility with effortless grace. This Sonoma Coast expression from Williams Selyem encapsulates the winery’s hallmark finesse, purity of fruit, silky texture, and a sense of place that feels both coastal and timeless.

Aromas & Flavors
A radiant medley of red berries; strawberry, raspberry, and cranberry, accented by rose petals, wet stone, and a touch of baking spice. The fruit feels pure and translucent, lifted by cool coastal energy.

Mouthfeel
Silky and impeccably polished, with a seamless mid-palate glide. The interplay of fruit, acidity, and texture is so harmonious it makes you pause between sips , a masterclass in balance.

Food Pairings
Ideal with cedar-plank salmon, duck breast with cherry glaze, or wild mushroom risotto. Its versatility shines across both elegant and rustic cuisine.

Verdict
A Pinot that pleases both the collector and the casual drinker, sophisticated yet inviting. It resonates with critics and enthusiasts alike, a true reflection of Williams Selyem’s craftsmanship on the Sonoma Coast.

Did You Know?
The Sonoma Coast AVA, cooled by Pacific fog and ocean breezes, produces some of California’s most refined and age-worthy Pinot Noirs. This 2023 vintage captures that maritime freshness beautifully.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A wine of quiet brilliance, where restraint meets depth. Each sip feels intentional, reminding you how elegant California Pinot can truly be. — 7 months ago

Vanessa

9.3

🍷Cheers to this compelling Morgon crafted by one of the region’s luminaries!✨

We’re talking about the ‘Côte du Py’ Morgon (Gamay Noir) by the revered Jean Foillard.

This Gamay hails from Morgon – a “Cru” within the broader appellation of Beaujolais – with a reputation for producing structured & age-worthy wine.

👁️ This wine is medium ruby in color, like a gemstone with the delicate haze you’d expect from an unfiltered wine.

👃 The aromas & flavors are perfumed with ripe red and black cherry, wild strawberry, blueberry, pomegranate, blood orange, mulberry, rosehips, hibiscus, lilac, black tea, rooibos, black licorice, star anise, potting soil, gunflint, & clove.

👄 On the palate, it’s dry with vibrant acidity, warming alcohol, a medium body, fine, ripe tannins, followed by a persistent finish.

In sum, this is a captivating, soulful, & expressive wine; a beautiful representation of Morgon, so deliciously drinkable now, with its layers of lush fruit, florals, & spice, while demurely holding the spine, structure, & intensity to age…

I can imagine it gaining mushroom, earthy, leather, & cured meat dimensions with time.

It offers power and elegance; a wine to sip, savor, & appreciate. — 9 months ago

with Deked1

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Medium Ruby with aromas of dark Berry fruits with notes of herbs, citrus and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and sweet cherry, espresso, vanilla and herb tones, well balanced with acidity. Dusty fine tannins on a long finish ending with cacao and earthy herb character. Very nice! — 5 years ago

Victor Hsu

9.2

Wow. Fourteen year-old Chianti that retains the liveliness of youth. Tart plum and sour cherry fruit, but a more sophisticated nose of leather and earth, with subtle floral notes in the background. Sufficient acid and tannic backbone to be an excellent food wine but balanced and quite enjoyable on its own. Enjoyed the 2006 vintage with a heaping plate of freshly baked ciabatta, Taleggio, Gorgonzola, cherries and dates. I am so glad there is a second bottle of this in my wine fridge. — 6 years ago