1982 Calon Segur – what a wonderful surprise!

I’ll preface this by saying that I am incredibly new to wine tasting and the world of wine, having really started to explore this summer after an incredible trip to the Right Bank. I really hope that I am using the correct terminology and, if not, please let me know in the comments! I look forward to learning from this community – it’s one of the things I absolutely love about wine; the sharing of knowledge, and community willing to engage and educate. Thank you in advance!

Last night I opened up a bottle of 1982 Calon Segur. Cellared for the last 30 years, moved once. The label has definitely seen better days, and the top of the cork definitely had some cellar mold, but the whole cork was intact! Decanted for 2 hours and served. The moment I popped the cork, the aromas were astounding – it filled up my apartment so much that my wife, who was in the next room and had no idea I was opening a bottle of wine, commented that it smelled like I had opened wine 😂 sweet black fruits, earthy and umami, and quite a bit of carmelized candied brown sugar, almost port-like.

The colour was a light brown-red, tawny, almost brick.

First night, this wine really opened up as the night went on. The nose was truly excellent and still had wonderful tannic structure. Notes of black currants and overripe blackberries, ripened bananas and a complex sweetness that really surprised me.

Stored in a wine fridge at 55° overnight in the decanter and the second night, this wine absolutely blossomed . Elegant and full, all of the first night flavours and aromas compounded.

I still have one more bottle and I can’t wait to open it up!