Saint-Estèphe

The 1996 release of Château Calon-Ségur, Saint-Estèphe Third Growth. One of Madame Denise Capbern-Gasqueton's first solo vintages following her husband Philippe's death in September 1995, made well before Vincent Millet's 2006 arrival and the 2012 Suravenir purchase. Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, with 50% new oak ageing (notably lower than the much higher proportion Millet later imposed). 1996 is regarded as a great northern Médoc Cabernet year - the late-August rain largely spared Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Saint-Estèphe, and the Cab Sauvignon was picked late September into mid-October under near-perfect conditions, yielding firm tannin and lively acidity. 12.5% ABV.