Château Phélan Ségur 2023

The polish and intensity of this wine is beautiful for the vintage, with blackcurrant, lead pencil and light chocolate character. It’s medium- to full-bodied with well-integrated fruit and tannins, and a long finish. Velvet texture. Excellent potential. Fermented from selected yeast from the various parcels. 58% cabernet sauvignon, 39% merlot, 1.5% petit verdot, and 1.5% cabernet franc. Let’s see which is better in the end, 2022 or 2023.

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot Phélan 2023 positions itself with confidence and precision, combining the useful with the pleasant, I'm tempted to say. Pleasant because the bouquet is very harmonious, and useful because it immediately reveals a serious, precise character. In addition to fine woody nuances, the bouquet is fruity and mineral, with notes of black berries and graphite, complemented by hints of mint, liquorice and breadcrumbs. The silky character of the attack gives way to structuring tannins that build up along the palate. Admittedly, they are still a little tight, but above all they are fine and capable of providing a reliable foundation. The acidity is sharp and salty. A subtle bitterness enhances the expression and aromatic persistence of the finish. A Phélan Ségur that has firmly established itself as one of the appellation's great successes! 2028-2053

This year, two-thirds of the vineyards at Château Phélan Ségur employed “Levures indigènes parcellaires” which has opened a new world for the 2023 vintage of Château Phélan Ségur: it is delightfully bouncy and smooth, so juicy and vibrant, that a single sip almost sends me into a blissful rapture. The fragrances of violets and peonies envelop the sleek body like a purple mist, painting a scene of celestial descent. In its pursuit of freshness, Château Phélan Ségur has not forgotten the richness and strength that run in its veins. The graphite tannins in the finish cling to the tongue like a magnet, drawing you in deeper the more you struggle…

A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2023 Phélan Ségur offers up aromas of cassis, dark berries, licorice and toasty new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and nicely concentrated palate with plenty of powdery structuring tannin and good length on the finish. It's a strong effort.