France · Bordeaux

Chateau Calon Segur

Château Calon Ségur is one of Saint-Estèphe's most beloved and romantic estates, a Third Growth bearing the iconic heart on its label as a tribute to the Marquis de Ségur's declaration that 'I make wine at Lafite and Mouton, but my heart is at Calon.' The estate dates to the 18th century and encompasses 55 hectares within one of the Médoc's last remaining single-wall enclosures, giving it something of the character of a Pomerol estate within a Médoc framework. The wine is known for its approachable, charming style — more open and generous than typical Saint-Estèphe — with fine tannins, red fruit, and floral elegance that belie the appellation's reputation for rusticity. The estate went through a difficult period in the early 21st century before being acquired in 2012 by the Capbern-Gasqueton family and subsequently by the Suez group, which invested heavily in the winery. At auction, Calon Ségur represents excellent value among classified Bordeaux growths, particularly the great vintages of the 1980s and 1990s which are drinking magnificently.