Château Phelan Segur St Estephe 2019

Description

Phelan Segur is a Cru Bourgeois (formerly Exceptionalle until they changed the regulations) in St Estèphe, the most northerly appellation on the left bank of Bordeaux. Here you can truly smell and feel the maritime influence in the climate, and the wines of St Estephe are known for their resilience and strength as well as a captivating, salty freshness. Typically the fruit is tight, compressed and expresses red currant and minty herbs but in more recent years riper vintages are producing layers of dark chocolate and a more relaxed feel to the tannins resulting in a softer, more opulent, style full of cassis fruit and incense like spice.

Founded by the Irishman Bernard Phélan and developed by his son, Frank, Château Phélan Ségur has been one of the benchmarks of the Saint-Estèphe appellation since the 19th century. Consisting of seventy hectares of vines divided into four distinct parts, the estate benefits from a heterogeneous terroir which accounts for Phélan Ségur’s unique complexity. The cellar and vat room are integrated into the château in a highly unusual architectural ensemble. The wines are aged with the greatest of care and Phélan Ségur is famous for its elegance, finesse, and balance.

In 2018, the Gardinier family handed the reins to the great Bordeaux wine enthusiast Philippe Van de Vyvere. Philippe Van de Vyvere applies his entrepreneurial values to making the finest wine possible from both an aesthetic and a technical standpoint, with great respect of the environment.

The 2019 Phélan-Ségur has a well-dened bouquet with blackberry and bilberry fruit, a subtle marine inuence that develops with aeration. Very cohesive. The palate is medium-bodied with ne tannins, very precise with wonderful mineralité and tension. This oozes class, a Swiss watch of a Saint-Estèphe with outstanding length and complexity. Top drawer and a benchmark for the estate. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. 96 pts, Neal Martin, Vinous