Chateau Phélan Ségur Saint Estephe 2020
Country: France Region: Bordeaux
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon (54%) Merlot (42%) Cabernet Franc (2%) Petit Verdot (2%)
Vintage: 2020 Colour: Red Style: Dry
Producer: Chateau Phelan Ségur
Description:
One of Saint Estephe’s benchmark producers, Phelan Ségur was founded by Bernard Phelan who united two neighbouring properties, Clos de Garramey and Ségur, and added his name in keeping with the traditions of the time. In 1860 his son, Frank Phelan, built the stunning country house on the estate which by this time was the largest in the Saint Estèphe appellation. In 2017 the property sold for a record €90 million to Belgian investor Philippe Van de Vyvere.
Today the property has 70 hectares of vineyards planted on exceptional terroir, sitting on a ridge of clay and gravel soils above the Gironde estuary. As the saying goes, “the greatest terroirs look to the water”, and Phelan Segur’s wines offer both power and character with excellent potential for extended ageing in the cellar over the next decade and beyond.
The estate’s Grand Vin is primarily composed of Cabernet Sauvignon along with a smaller proportion of Merlot and a drop of Cabernet Franc. To allow for precise blending, each parcel of vines is vinified separately with ageing taking place in 50% new French oak barrels for 16-18 months. This helps to soften the firm tannins and add subtle hints of woodsmoke and spice to the luscious cassis, blackberry and dark plum fruit.
96 points James Suckling
Complex and subtle aromas of blackcurrants, hazelnut, bark, mushrooms and chocolate follow through to a full body, with racy and long tannins that run the length of the wine. Classically structured. Polished yet musical. Very Phelan. 54% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. 
95 points Jeb Dunnuck
The Grand Vin 2020 Château Phelan Ségur from director Véronique Dausse checks in as 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and 2% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, and this is the first time that blend has included all four varieties. Aged 18 months in 55% new French oak, its vivid purple color is followed by a gorgeous bouquet of pure cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as complex floral, spice, and crushed stone-like minerality. Medium to full-bodied and flawlessly balanced, with silky tannins, it's an incredibly classy, seamless, elegant 2020 that shows the ripe yet classic style of this incredible vintage. It will evolve gracefully for over two decades.
93-95 points Wine Enthusiast
Firm tannins, very much in the traditional style of Saint-Estèphe, give this wine an intense, concentrated structure. To balance this and in the new more open style from this estate, the wine also has fine fruits—black currants layered with acidity. (RV)
94 points Decanter
Clean and compelling, quite richly textured with bright black fruits but also savoury touches. This is brooding and you can feel the power and the concentration of the vintage. Ripe tannins remain prominent with spiced edges giving tension and linearity throughout. Forward, intense but detailed, nuanced and seductive. Feels well worked, salty and tangy. Give it time but this will have fans. So sleek and well controlled with bite. Lovely. (GH)
94 points Jane Anson
Delivering, as it so often does, richly textured, concentrated and powerful black fruits, a sterling example of the 2020 vintage in St Estèphe, turmeric, crayon and smoked earth notes, lime blossom and pomegranate adding texture and complexity, great stuff. Yields 40hl/ha, harvest September 16 through to October 1, finishing around 10 days earlier than the past two years. Consultants Michel Rolland and Julien Viaud. First vintage with Petit Verdot included in the main wine, from vines planted in 2013.
94 points Vinous
The 2020 Phélan Ségur, which was picked 16 September to 1 October, and is the first vintage with four varieties in the blend i.e. Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot as well as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It fulfils the promise that it showed from barrel. Not quite as intense on the nose, yet it has retained that Pauillac-inspired allure thanks to those subtle pencil box and cedar scents infusing the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a cohesive, well-knit entry. Lovely texture, very pure, this is one of the most seductive Phélan that I can recall at this stage and I adored the classicism and graphite note that lingers on the aftertaste. Superb. (NM)
93 points Wine Advocate
The 2020 Phélan Ségur is rich and generous, unwinding in the glass with aromas of sweet berries, cherries and plums mingled with hints of violets and spices and framed by creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, it's a concentrated, structured wine underpinned by a chassis of generously extracted tannin that lends it a somewhat youthfully chunky profile. (WK)
93 points Wine Spectator
A sleek, taut, winey style, with a mix of red and black currant coulis notes that stretch out over hints of charcoal, tobacco and wet stone. Shows a sanguine echo through the finish, with nice range and character overall. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. (JM)
