CHATEAU CALON SEGUR

Situated in Saint-Estèphe, this estate stretches all the way back to 1147, when it was owned by Monseigneur de Calon, a bishop, no less. Perhaps not so surprising when one considers the level of intimacy that has long existed between the Church and the vine. Eventually the property came to be owned by Nicolas Alexandre, marquis de Segur and owner of Châteaux Latour and Lafite.

The iconic heart on the label comes from his famous quote, 'I make my wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is in Calon.' One of the few walled-in vineyards to be found in Bordeaux, the estate was sold recently to a large French Insurance company, with the Moueix family, owners of Château Pétrus, also taking a stake.

There has been extensive renovation of the winemaking facilities, along with a replanting programme to increase the vine density and boost the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. The style of Calon-Ségur is masculine and sturdy, the structure tannic, textural and traditional in approach.