2021, Château Calon-Ségur, SAINT-ESTÈPHEBordeaux Blend: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot. Classic chteau on one of the greatest terroirs in Bordeaux. The Cabernet is firmly in the driving seat here, with detailed, graphite infused black fruit and a background florality that comes through with aeration. The medium bodied palate displays very fine tannins, superb acidity and impressive harmony. This has exemplary build in the mouth, fine weight on the finish and a

Owned by Famille Bignon-Cordier

Classic in style and long in the mouth

the medium to deep garnet-purple coloured 2016 Belair Monange comes strutting out of the glass like a total rock star with gregarious red cherries

Not giving too much away yet but there are layers here

The bouquet has always been a little conservative and foursquare in my opinion

aging for around 12 months in one-year-old French oak barriques

Nice minerality and crushed stone aspects though

the brightness coming through strongly with such a brilliantly textured mid palate - it's silky but with concentration and intensity yet also an aerial feel to this

Super-ripe red-fleshed fruit

allowing the vines to build reserves so that they did not stress throughout the summer as they usually do in California

One of the vintage's most powerful

98 Antonio Galloni