10 Jun 2020

Released this afternoon, the 2019 from Château Phélan Ségur is described by James Suckling as possibly the 'best ever' vintage from this estate, awarding it with an impressive 96-97 points. The price is just £330 per dozen, compared with £450 in 2018.

Phélan Ségur made its name under the guidance of Frank Phelan, the son of an Irish merchant (Bernard O'Phelan) who settled in Bordeaux and married into the Guestier family.  Frank Phelan even became mayor of Saint-Estèphe and the Château Ségur added his surname to its own at the start of the 20th century.  Oweed since the 1980s by the Gardinier family, the estate has 70 hectares of clay-gravel soils adjoining Calon-Segur and Montrose.

Despite being approachable in just five or six years, Phélan Ségur is known for being long-lived.  Jane Anson finds plenty of minerality ("Great winemaking going on here").  She qualifies her score of 94 points by saying "could go higher here". 

Suckling is less equivocal, describing the "complexity and depth" as "fantastic... in this beautifully crafted, refined red".

At less than £28 per bottle in bond, there is nothing not to love about this release.  Do let us know if you would like to order.  

Offered En Primeur, landing Spring 2022.

 

 

Producer Profile

Château Phélan Ségur, Cru Bourgeois Saint-Estèphe

Château Phélan Ségur is a Cru Bourgeois in Saint-Estèphe, which made its name under the guidance of Frank Phelan, the son of an Irish merchant, Bernard O'Phelan, who settled in Bordeaux and married into the Guestier family.  Frank Phelan even became mayor of Saint-Estèphe and the Château Ségur added his surname to its own at the start of the 20th century. 

Owned since the 1980s by the Gardinier family, the estate has 70 hectares of clay-gravel soils adjoining Calon-Segur and Montrose.  Despite being approachable in just five or six years, Phélan Ségur is known for being long-lived.