Description
This beautiful 2003 exhibits a dense ruby/purple color, a vigorous youthfulness, and plenty of mulberry, black currant and cherry fruit intermixed with notions of cedarwood, baking spices and roasted herbs. Ripe, medium to full-bodied, fresh and precise, this wine is just hitting full maturity where it should remain for another 10-15 years. Drink 2014-2029
Score: 93 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (214), August 2014
Bottled in July, 2005, the saturated ruby/purple-colored 2003 exhibits a tightly-knit, but promising nose of mulberries, blackberries, cherries, and hints of new oak and truffles. This 60% Cabernet Sauvignon / 40% Merlot blend possesses a gorgeous texture as well as an expansive, exotic softness, and 13% alcohol (according to the proprietor, Madame Denise Gasqueton). Generous and rich, this high class, full-bodied wine will undoubtedly be more approachable than its closest spiritual sibling, the 1982. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2030.
Score: 94 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (164), April 2006
This extraordinary 2003 tops the scale at only 13% alcohol, but it exhibits a similarity at this stage to the brilliant 1982. A dense plum/purple color is followed by a big, sweet, ripe nose of blackberries, kirsch liqueur, earth, and hints of truffle and licorice. The wine is opulent, even unctuously textured, with low acidity, but powerful, concentrated, dense, chewy flavors. The wine is high in tannin, but it is sweet and well-integrated. Madame Gasqueton thinks it is an atypical but brilliant wine for Calon-Segur. By the traditional standards practiced at this estate, the 2003 is a more precocious and flamboyant effort. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2030.
Score: 94/96 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (158), April 2005
A compelling effort from Madame Denise Gasqueton, the 2003 Calon-Segur displays a stunning similarity to the 1982 when tasted in March, 1983. The flavors lean more toward the black fruit spectrum as the ripeness and generosity of the estate’s Cabernet Sauvignon was extraordinary in 2003. In 1982 it was the Merlot that proved to be the superior varietal. The blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot has resulted in one of the deepest-colored efforts yet produced by this estate. The black/purple color is accompanied by an opulence and unctuosity that is characteristic of the most successful 2003 northern Medocs. Low acidity, no hints of over-ripeness, and fabulously pure black currant, blackberry, licorice, and underbrush characteristics cascade over the palate with no hard edges. A high tannin level is well-concealed, and the finish lasts for over a minute. Given Calon-Segur’s traditional winemaking and upbringing, this 2003 will no doubt close down (as the 1982 did). Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030.
Score: 95/97 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (152), April 2004
Loads of crushed berry, with mineral, lightly toasted oak and licorice. A long, caressing finish. The sleeper of the vintage.
Score: 95 James Suckling, Wine Spectator, February 2006
Loads of black berry and spice character with hints of cedar. Full-bodied with lots of smoky character and loads of meat, chocolate and fruit. A gorgeous Calon. Could be higher than this range in bottle.
Score: 92/94 James Suckling, Wine Spectator (April 04), April 2004
Dark crimson with hardly any sign of age. A complete contrast in looks to the paleness of Ormes de Pez! Intense, direct nose with some hint of tarmac. Medium weight fruit on the palate and still a bit of tannin, Very rich, almost hot, on the finish, This is a wine that grows in the mouth. A little bit of dryness on the finish. Should make decent middle aged bones.
Score: 16.5 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2008
Very fine, long-term Calon, likely to be both better value and accessible earlier than Cos and Montrose.
Score: 16.5 Michael Schuster, The World of Fine Wine (1), April 2004