‘Out of the limelight’: Calon Ségur

The Saint Estephe third growth – one of the most renowned estates of the northern Medoc – together with its sister estate Chateau Capbern Gasqueton, was bought in July 2012 for €170m by French insurance company Survanir Assurances from Hélène de Baritault de Carpia, the daughter of the late owner Denise Capbern-Gasqueton.

A minority stake was taken by Videlot, a Bordeaux wine company owned by Jean-François Moueix (owner of Duclot and Chateau Pétrus).

Dufau, who worked previously for the négociant arm of Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA before moving to Balande & Ménert in 2005, is from the Médoc and has a small family estate in Listrac.

Vincent Millet will continue as technical director of both estates, with Eric Boissenot remaining as wine consultant. ‘Calon is one of the most exciting properties in Saint Estephe,’ Dufau, who begins his new job in March, told Decanter.com.

‘It been kept out of the limelight to a certain extent, mainly due to its ownership by such a strong, private family. It is a highly interesting challenge in many respects. We will see if we need to reinforce the team over the next year or so, but there will be no drastic changes.’