Château Phélan Ségur Saint-Estèphe 2023 shows cassis, blackberry, black cherry, violet, graphite, cedar, tobacco and spice.
Medium to full-bodied with finely grained tannins and fresh acidity, it is structured yet more lifted than typical Left Bank powerhouses. The palate is precise and energetic, balancing ripe Cabernet fruit with freshness and mineral tension, finishing long and refined with clear aging potential.
Professional ratings
- 93–95 pts – James Suckling: notes purity, freshness and refined tannins
- 92–94 pts – Wine Advocate: praises balance, precision and classic structure
- 92–93 pts – Vinous: highlights energy, elegance and depth
- 92–93 pts – Decanter: commends finesse, clarity and Saint-Estèphe typicity
Overall, it is rated around 92–95 points, a fresh, structured and refined Saint-Estèphe with strong aging potential.
Winemaker Notes
The Grand Vin of Château Phélan Ségur comes from this magnificent terroir of Saint-Estèphe where power dominates. Strengthened by its origins, Château Phélan Ségur has created its identity based on elegance and finesse. With a certain restraint and great precision, it reveals the purity of the fruit, the accuracy of its structure, the silkiness of its tannins, all with a natural freshness. After long ageing, it reveals a bouquet of a rare complexity, the oak harmoniously integrated. This subtle and authentic balance creates an intense emotion. Château Phélan Ségur is known for its potential to age over several decades. An old vintage opens new aromatic horizons with an unexpected richness: the warmth of spices, the generosity of ripe fruits and the nobility of leather. Its texture is refined, its power is calmed. This fullness is a testimony to the passage of time and this blossoming is the reward of astute patience.
Blend: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 1.5% Petit Verdot, 1.5% Cabernet Franc
- 96 James Suckling
Aromas of blackberries, black currants, ink and lead pencil are impressive, highlighting the quality of the cabernet sauvignon in this vintage. So perfumed. Spearmint undertones. Medium- to full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins that run the length of the wine. Silky and caressing with lovely persistence and depth. A fine St.-Estephe. 58% cabernet sauvignon, 39% merlot, 1.5% petit verdot and 1.5% cabernet franc. Better than 2022. Best after 2028 but already approachable. Drink or hold.
- 95 Points Jeb Dunnuck
- Ripe black fruits, graphite, crushed stone, chocolate, and some truffly earth nuances all define the 2023 Château Pavie, a gorgeous wine that's certainly up with the crème de la crème of the vintage. Based on 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 20 months in 72% new French oak, it's medium to full-bodied, with a concentrated, layered mouthfeel and a great finish. The purity, balance, and elegance here are absolutely brilliant. Hide bottles for 4-5 years if you can, and it will shine for three decades. Drink 2030-2060.
- 95 Decanter
An excellent Phélan. Darkly fragrant, herbal and softly floral with blackcurrant, red cherry and coffee bean accents. Smooth and supple, gorgeous approachability in the juiciness and sense of life. So easy to enjoy this, cool and classic scents of blue fruits and crisp red fruit. Layered, clean and finessed. Svelte, not much muscle but there’s underlying power in the long finish with hints of mint. Extremely balanced and juicy, with a touch of sweetness and freshness and then the cleaning minerality comes through giving a powdery soft ending with elements of wet stone and graphite. Very St-Estephe and very successful. 52hl/ha yield. 60% grand vin, 40% second wine. Two thirds of the wine is vinified with with indigenous yeasts to give more terroir identity. Longest harvest ever at the estate, beginning on September 18 until October 11. 1.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend.
Barrel Sample: 95
- 94 Vinous
The 2023 Phélan Ségur is a powerful, brooding wine. Black cherry, plum, gravel, incense, licorice, dried herbs, lavender and mocha infuse the 2023 with striking complexity. Persistent saline notes lend energy, dimension and shape. The Cabernet Sauvignon really screams with intensity here. Tasted two times. –Antonio Galloni
Barrel Sample: 92-94
- 94 Jeb Dunnuck
The Grand Vin 2023 Château Phelan Ségur checks in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. It too is deep ruby purple-hued and offers a brilliant nose of pure cassis, sappy tobacco, flowers, and hints of leather. It's medium to full-bodied, brings good mid-palate concentration, and has integrated tannins and acidity, as well as outstanding length. It's a beautiful, concentrated, elegant 2023 with tons to love. Tasted multiple times, with one sample rating 95, but I'm being conservative with the rating. This has terrific potential.
Barrel Sample: 92-94
- 93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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.
Barrel Sample: 91-93
- 93 Wine Spectator
A slightly more pliant version of the AOC, with a gentle coating of warm cocoa and singed cedar over a core of mulled black currant and black cherry fruit. Keeps a suave feel throughout, with flashes of violet, chestnut and warm earth underscoring a structured but fine-grained finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2027 through 2038.
