Offering up notions of blackcurrants, spices and cigar box, the 2021 Le Marquis de Calon-Segur is medium to full-bodied, layered and lively, with powdery tannins and an impressively penetrating finish. It`s a blend of 58% Merlot with 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, the latter mainly from young vines. Director Vincent Millet explains that he doesn`t want the gap in quality between his second wine and the grand vin to be too flagrant and that he`ll take lots from the Calon-Ségur blend to improve the Marquis if necessary—as it was in 2021. 89-91 points

The 2021 Le Marquis de Calon Segur was picked at 36hL/ha and matured in 30% new oak for a planned 17 months. Made from 58% Merlot and the remainder young Cabernet Sauvignon, it nods to the Right Bank in style, offering ample dark cherry, cedar and damp earthy scents. The palate is medium-boded with lithe tannins and modest weight and concentration, tapering in a little toward the finish, which has an attractive marine tincture. This is fine Marquis that should drink well over 12–15 years. 88-90 points

The 2021 Le Marquis de Calon Segur shows all of the freshness of the year in its bright, vibrant personality. Black cherry, plum, lavender, licorice, spice and mint all open effortlessly. Merlot drives the blend in a striking, mid-weight Marquis that hits all the right notes. There`s a generosity to the Marquis, but it is balanced by notable vivacity. En primeur samples were taken from new barrels only, but the final wine is projected to have 30% new oak. 91-93 points

A perky, well-handled Marquis de Calon with savoury blue and black fruit with forest floor and raspberry leaf edging. Calon recorded rainfall of 49mm in July, 24mm in August, and 80mm in September (less than in the southern areas of the Médoc), with no frost, giving a fairly classic yield of 36hl/h. That doesn`t mean they didn`t have to deal with weather that was still cloudy and dull for much of the summer, and you will find this lighter in structure than over the past few years. 30% new oak, 57% of overall production. Ready to begin drinking within a few years of bottling. 89 points