Frank Phélan Saint-Estèphe 2019 - Second vin

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Owned by the Gardinier brothers (who also run Les Crayères in Reims and Taillevent restaurants in Paris), Phélan was sold in 2018 to a great Bordeaux wine enthusiast, Philippe Van de Vyvere. This cru, which is in some ways Calon-Ségur's first cousin, is one of the most renowned in the area. Wonderfully situated on the banks of the Garonne, it offers a very specific character, marked by notes of cedar and a good suppleness on the mid-palate. 2015 was one of the major successes in the appellation, 2016 and 2018 show a racy tannin worthy of the best crus classés.

Decanter

About the wine:

Phélan Ségur's Second Vin is a must-have of the 2019 vintage. Ripe and round, with a pH of 3.9, which may not suggest great longevity, but in a second wine, what you're looking for is the accessibility and signature of its elder, and that's what you get in spades. Tons of character, brushed Damask berry and blackberry fruit, beautifully supple but present tannins, and a mouth-watering finish. 2023-2032

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

A harmonious second wine, greedy, fleshy and fresh at the same time, powerful without being hard, carried by silky tannins. A fine way to wait for the grand vin. 2026-2032

About the domain :

Situated on the plateau next to the village of Saint-Estèphe, this cru combines an impressive group of neo-classical buildings with a prime terroir: 70 hectares of clay gravel. And renowned owners. In 1810, Bernard Phélan, who already owned Dom. de Garamey, bought land from Joseph-Marie de Ségur, Comte de Cabanac (who was merely homonymous with the Ségurs of Lafite and Calon). Then, for a long time, the Delon family, a reference in the Médoc, Xavier Gardinier from 1985 and finally Philippe Van de Vyvere since 2018.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

This beautiful, emblematic Saint-Estèphe estate, with its superb terroir on the banks of the Gironde, has had a new owner since January 2018. Belgian industrialist Philippe Van de Vyvere now has the task of writing the future pages of what is indisputably one of the Médoc's finest non-classified growths. He has all the keys in hand and should continue along the path he has been following for several years now. Phélan Ségur produces a noble wine, not always demonstrative, but distinguished and ageing well.

James Suckling

About the wine:

A very spicy, typical Saint-Estèphe with notes of nutmeg, clove and berries. Medium body with slightly chewy tannins and a savory finish. Give it time to soften. Second serious wine from Phélan. Try it after 2025.

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is aromatic, offering power, intensity and a peppery edge. There are notes of ripe wild blackcurrant, pulpy raspberry and, to a lesser extent, ripe blackberry, combined with hints of gray pepper/cuban and violet, as well as racy minerality and very discreet hints of toastiness/caramelization. The palate is fruity, mineral, taut, balanced and offers freshness, a fine acidic structure, fullness, creaminess and roundness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy/juicy raspberry, pulpy/juicy blackberry and, more lightly, cherry, combined with fine touches of small, fleshy red berries, as well as hints of chocolate, camphor, caramelization and discreet hints of vanilla bean. Good length. The tannins are structuring and very finely marked.