Frank Phélan Saint-Estèphe 2020 - Second vin
93/100
James Suckling
91/100
Yves Beck
90/100
Jeb Dunnuck
"He stands out for his class, his temperament, his remarkable poise, and his surprising reach!"
“Château Phélan Ségur’s second wine is Frank Phelan 2020, a 60/40 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that was harvested between mid-September and October 1. Fresh, lively, medium-bodied, and straightforward, it displays lovely notes of red fruit, flowers, and spices, supple and well-integrated tannins, remarkable balance, and exceptional length. This lovely, elegant Saint-Estèphe—already delicious—will be perfect for enjoying at any time over the next 10 to 15 years. Like the Grand Vin, it shines for its balance and class. ” (Jeb Dunnuck 2023)
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Nose
With notes of red and black berries and spices
Palate
Such a refined and delicate texture. Beautiful acidity on the mid-palate provides excellent support for the precisely sculpted tannic structure. Remarkable depth and length.
Serve
At 17-18°C
Open
1 hour before
Drink from
2023
Drink before
2032
Food and Wine Pairings
Enjoy it with a beef ribeye, a lamb tagine, or a blue cheese like Roquefort...
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated estate (2022 guide): 3*Stars (High-quality production that serves as a benchmark in its sector)
About the estate:
Owned by the Gardinier brothers (who also run Les Crayères in Reims and the Taillevent restaurants in Paris), Phélan was sold in 2018 to Philippe Van de Vyvere, a great enthusiast of Bordeaux wines. This wine, which is in a sense the first cousin of Calon-Ségur, is one of the most renowned in the region. Beautifully situated on the banks of the Garonne, it offers a very distinctive character, marked by notes of cedar and a smooth mid-palate. The 2015 vintage was one of the appellation’s greatest successes, while the 2016 and 2018 vintages display refined tannins worthy of the finest cru classés.
Guide Hachette des vins
Rated estate (2022 guide) Award-winning wines (This producer's wines regularly receive awards from the guide)
About the estate:
Located on the plateau next to the village of Saint-Estèphe, this estate combines an impressive complex of neoclassical buildings with a first-rate terroir: 70 hectares of clay-gravel soil. It also boasts renowned owners. Bernard Phélan, who already owned Domaine de Garamey, purchased land in 1810 from Joseph-Marie de Ségur, Count of Cabanac (who was merely a namesake of the Ségurs of Lafite and Calon). Then, for a long time, the Delons—a leading name in the Médoc—followed by Xavier Gardinier starting in 1985, and finally Philippe Van de Vyvere since 2018.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Rated *** (Good)
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Rated Estate (2022 Guide) 1*Star (Up-and-coming stars or high-quality winemakers producing wines of a high standard—you won’t be disappointed when you taste the wines from these estates)
About the estate:
This stunning, iconic estate in Saint-Estèphe—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 next chapters in the history of what is indisputably one of the best unclassified wines of the Médoc. He has everything he needs to succeed and is expected to continue along the path the estate has been following for several years now. Phélan Ségur produces a noble wine—not always flamboyant, but refined and with excellent aging potential.
James Suckling
Wine rated (2023 guide) 93/100
About the wine:
Plenty of spice and blackcurrant, with notes of graphite and dark bark. Full-bodied and well-structured, with slightly supple tannins and a firm, velvety texture. It exhibits good length and intensity. Phélan-Segur’s second wine. Allow it to age in the bottle for at least 3 to 4 years.
Jeb Dunnuck
Wine rated (2023 guide) 90/100
About the wine:
Château Phélan Ségur’s second wine is Frank Phelan 2020, a 60/40 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that was harvested between mid-September and October 1. Fresh, lively, medium-bodied, and straightforward, it offers lovely notes of red fruit, flowers, and spices, supple and well-integrated tannins, remarkable balance, and exceptional length. This lovely, elegant Saint-Estèphe—already delicious—will be perfect for enjoying at any time over the next 10 to 15 years. Like the Grand Vin, it shines with its balance and class. 2023–2038
Yves Beck
Wine rated (2023 guide) 91/100
About the wine:
The 2020 Frank Phélan is inviting right from the start, with obvious charm but also character. Its spicy character and fruity nuances are in perfect harmony, both on the nose and on the palate. The wine is elegant, creamy, delicious, harmonious, and already very approachable. The winemakers have successfully balanced the richness while highlighting the freshness. A delicious Frank Phélan to be savored in its youth, but without rushing. Now – 2030
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