2005 Marquis de Calon, St. Estephe, Bordeaux

The second wine of the Calon Sugur, this classic St. Estephe shows aromas of sweet red fruit and touches of lavender and spice.  Ripe and soft for the appellation, this wine drinks well now with an hour of decanting.  Calon Segur made a very well-regarded St. Estephe in 2005, and the second wine shows similar quality at a fraction of the price.  Clean and sweet with very bright fruit and mineral in a long, firm package.  Some believe that this second wine has just as much finesse as Calon Segur but without all the powerful tannins.  The list price is $30.