Phelan Segur 2017

vinous93

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2017 Phélan Ségur has turned out beautifully. A wine of real substance and personality, Phélan Ségur is endowed with quite a bit of depth. Black plum, chocolate, spice, leather and mocha are some of the many notes that infuse this wonderfully expressive Saint-Estèphe. Readers should expect a bold, savory wine driven by strong Cabernet Sauvignon accents and structure. Accordingly, the 2017 needs time to be at its very best. In 2017, the Grand Vin contains an unusually high amount of Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), much of which was able to hang until early October, with 34% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Winemaker Fabrice Bacquey opted to reduce exposure to oxygen during fermentation with the goal of maintaining as much freshness in the fruit as possible. I continue to be deeply impressed with the work Bacquey, Estate Manager Véronique Dausse and consulting winemaker Michel Rolland have done at Phélan over the last few years. Tasted two times.

vinous93

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2017 Phélan Ségur is powerful, brooding and intense, but also has more than enough fruit to stand up to the tannins. Dark red/purplish fruit, smoke, incense, charcoal embers and gravel give the wine much of its distinctive savory/earthy personality. Time in the glass brings out a more floral, red-toned quality that is hugely appealing. Phélan Ségur has the potential to be one of the dark horses of 2017. Certainly, this is a very strong showing relative to the vintage and where Phélan has been in the recent past. In 2017, the Grand Vin contains an unusually high amount of Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), much of which was able to hang until early October, with 34% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Winemaker Fabrice Bacquey opted to reduce exposure to oxygen during fermentation with the goal of maintaining as much freshness in the fruit as possible. Tasted two times.

vinous91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2017 Phélan Ségur has an attractive bouquet with red berry fruit laced with cedar and wilted rose petal aromas, quite pure in style and gaining delineation as it opens in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a little lactic on the entry but it dovetails into a sweet second half with dark chocolate tinged red fruit and a generous if not profoundly complex finish. It has gained a little flesh, which is what I was hoping for from barrel.

vinous91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2017 Phélan-Ségur, was harvested as late as possible, starting on 14 September with the Merlot and starting the Cabernet around 27 September and finished around mid-October. It is matured in 50% new oak. It appears to show more red fruit on the nose than its Saint-Estèphe peers, just a little disjointed at first but melding together with time, raspberry and briary scents mixed with dried rose petals. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, quite foursquare and masculine, needing more flesh to come through on the finish.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The 2017 Phélan Ségur is medium to deep garnet-purple colored with pronounced cassis, black raspberries, kirsch and violets with notions of cedar, earth and cigars. The palate is medium-bodied and elegant with great intensity, fine-grained and firm, finishing long and perfumed.

robert_parker89

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Phélan Ségur gives up notes of black plums and fresh blackberries with an earthy undercurrent of damp soil, truffles and mossy bark. Medium-bodied, soft, plush and with a good core of fruit, it gives an earthy finish.

vinous91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2017 Phélan Ségur has an attractive bouquet with red berry fruit laced with cedar and wilted rose petal aromas, quite pure in style and gaining delineation as it opens in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a little lactic on the entry but it dovetails into a sweet second half with dark chocolate tinged red fruit and a generous if not profoundly complex finish. It has gained a little flesh, which is what I was hoping for from barrel.

james_suckling92

Reviewed by: James Suckling

This is tight and firm with a linear precision and dark fruit. Medium to full body. Bright and lightly juicy. Pretty center palate. A poised and focused young wine.

james_suckling93

Reviewed by: James Suckling

A firm, silky red with lovely tightness and depth, offering currant, blueberry and hazelnut aromas and flavors. Shows layers and beauty. Bright and vivid. Lovely length. Better in 2022 or later.