Phelan Segur 2021 (1.5L)

94 DE / 93-94 JS / 92-94 VM / 92-93+ WA / 91-93+ JD / 90 JA / 89-91 WI

One of the absolute standouts for me this year. A dark and brooding nose with purity and concentration. The palate is finely textured with mineral-laced tannins that give grip in the mouth but letting the nuances of fruit and acidity play out in harmony. I love the intensity, it's rich but perfectly executed - elegant and finessed with balance and charm but above all a sense of energy and freshness that makes it one of the more memorable wines. Despite the challenges of the vintage, the fruit is ripe and dense and this gives no drop in the mid palate, sustaining pace and directness from start to finish. This is the first time to have such high percentages of both Cabernet Sauvignon (75%) and Petit Verdot (4%) in the blend. A gorgeous wine that has such promise. A surefire must buy and what should be great value too. Tasted twice and both times this was delicious with exceptional freshness and longevity. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

Plenty of cabernet character with currant and blackberry and some fresh-herb undertones. Medium body. Fine, firm tannins. Refined and together. Oyster shell and hints of spices such as cloves and white pepper. Tapenade. Typical for the appellation. 75% cabernet sauvignon, 4% petit verdot and 21% merlot. - James Suckling

The 2021 Phélan Ségur has an attractive bouquet of blackberry, raspberry and dried rose petal scents, quite fragrant and appealing even at this early stage. The palate is mediumbodied with sappy red fruit, fine tannins, well-judged acidity and quite a tensile finish. This is very promising, though it will need four to five years in bottle. It might represent one of the best values for money… depending on the release price, of course. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries, plums and cherries mingled with notions of rose petals, pipe tobacco, sweet spices and loamy soil, the 2021 Phélan Ségur is medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with impressive depth at the core, ripe tannins and lively acids, concluding with a long, saline finish. Concentrated and well-constructed, this is a serious wine with a bright future ahead of it. It's a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Tasted five times, twice at the estate. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

Tasted on numerous occasions, the 2021 Château Phélan Ségur (75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot) makes the most of this challenging vintage and offers terrific purity in its cassis fruit as well toasted spice and violet notes. It has some background oak, medium-bodied richness, good mid-palate density, and outstanding length. - Jeb Dunnuck

Attractive, carefully-extracted damson and black cherry fruit with austere tannins. This is a little drying on the finish, and is clearly impacted by the issues of the vintage, after a series of truly brilliant years at Phélan Ségur. Harvest September 29 to October 13. IPT 85. 55% new oak. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Phelan Segur leaps with vivacious scents of black and red currants, Morello cherries, and black raspberries, plus wafts of cardamon, cedar chest, and iron ore. Light to medium-bodied, the palate has plenty of vibrant red and black fruit layers with fine-grained tannins and an energetic finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent