Château Phélan Ségur 2014

Château Phélan Ségur is one of the Crus Bourgeoise Exceptionnel properties located within Saint-Estèphe appellation.  Of all the properties that possesses the qualities of a Classified Growth, Château Phélan Ségur would definitely be an estate that fits within that category.  With extraordinary terroir near properties like Château Calon Ségur and Château Montrose, Château Phélan Ségur is a true insider’s wine and available at an undervalued price. 
 
The history of this property dates to the time it was under the ownership of Nicolas Alexandre de Ségur.  Nicolas Alexandre de Ségur was a legendary figure within the wine world at his time, owning not one but three First Growth properties – Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, and Château Mouton.  He was nicknamed, “the Wine Prince,” and also oversaw operations at an estate that would later hold a very personal significance to him, Château Calon Ségur.  Château Calon Ségur is of special historic significance to Château Phelan Ségur, as both properties were portions of the vast Ségur estate. A hundred years later, this property was purchased by an Irishman named Bernard Phélan.  He purchased both Clos de Garramey and Ségur properties.  He combined his last name with Ségur, thus Château Phélan Ségur was born.  Bernard Phélan was well connected within the industry at the time, as he was married to one of the Guestier daughters of the famed négociant, Barton and Guestier. In the modern era, Château Phélan Ségur was managed by Thierry Gardinier.  Gardinier also manages Château Meyney in Saint-Estèphe and the Fifth Growth estate, Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse in Pauillac. In August 2017, Château Phelan Ségur was sold for a record breaking 90 million Euros to a wealthy Belgian investor, Philippe Van de Vyvre.
 
This large, 70-hectare estate is planted with a mixture of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot.  The choicest vines are located near the Saint-Estèphe powerhouse, Château Montrose.  Most of the vines are 35 years old, yet there are a small portion of old vines at 70 years of age.  An extensive overhaul of renovations was completed in 2011 and the prolific Michel Rolland was hired to consult at the estate.  As of 2020, the estate began incorporating Petit Verdot to the final blend of the wine.  The wine is aged in a smaller portion of new French oak to add dimension and structure.  To improve the quality of the grand vin, a Second Wine was introduced in 1986.  It was named Frank Phélan in honor of the previous owner who built the château. Château Phélan Ségur is a unique expression of a Saint-Estèphe, as the wine can be enjoyed earlier. Most  Saint-Estèphe wines require significant time in bottle in order to show the fullest potential of the vintage.  With that in mind, the wine has excellent ageing potential and can last up to 20 years after the vintage.  This makes it a versatile wine and a worthy purchase. 

"The Château Phélan-Ségur 2014 has quite a high-toned bouquet with iodine-scented black fruit, touches of cassis and blueberry coming through with aeration. The palate is rounded and generous on the entry with fine tannin, though I feel it just lacks a little complexity and terroir expression towards the finish. I am aware than this Saint Estèphe improves a great deal by bottling, hence the plus sign. Tasted on three occasions, two showed a little rigidity towards the finish, but that will soften with élevage and bottle age." - Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate (3/31/2017, Interim Issue), Ratings: 91, Drink: 2019-2035