Tasting Notes
JancisRobinson.com 16
Cask sample taken 25 May and air-freighted to London immediately. A second sample. 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. A St-Estèphe property with a relatively low proportion of Cabernet. Very deep crimson indeed. Almost extraordinary depth of colour. A cool, slightly dry finish after a spectacularly ripe palate entry and mid palate. Not one of the longest finishes and I’m not sure I would guess it was a St-Estèphe if I were served it blind, but its ripe fruit offers lots of pleasure. This sample certainly isn’t too tannic.
Anticipated maturity: 2026-2040
Robert Parker 91
Displaying a medium to deep purple-black color, the 2020 Phelan Segur offers up intense notions of crushed red and black currants, black raspberries and fresh mulberries, plus suggestions of charcuterie, pencil shavings and cinnamon toast. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled and refreshing, delivering a firm, grainy texture to support the crunchy red and black fruits, finishing with a peppery kick.
Anticipated maturity: 2024-2039
Vinous 92
The 2020 Phélan Ségur is sophisticated, classy and polished. There is perhaps a bit less size than has become the norm of late, but that is not a bad thing at all. Sweet floral, spice, cedar and tobacco lend brightness to this mid-weight, beautifully persistent Saint-Estèphe. I especially admire the wine’s aromatic presence and persistence. Tasted two times.
Anticipated maturity: 2028-2045
The Wine Independent 96
The 2020 Phelan Segur is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it comes skipping out of the glass with youthful, carefree scents of redcurrant jelly, blackcurrant pastilles, black raspberries, and mulberries, plus suggestions of red roses, underbrush, crushed rocks, and graphite, plus a waft of cedar. The medium-bodied palate is super-intense yet wonderfully elegant, delivering arresting floral and mineral accents to the layers of red and black fruits, all framed by firm, very fine-grained tannins. The finish is fantastically long, fragrant, and uplifting.
Anticipated maturity: 2024-2044
Jeb Dunnuck 95
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.
Anticipated maturity: 2025-2045
