Château Phélan Ségur 2010

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Well-structured, full-bodied, balanced, intense, and energetic: the best description yet of the estate’s style.

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 a passionate collector of Bordeaux wines, Philippe Van de Vyvere. This estate, 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. 2015 was one of the appellation’s major successes, while 2016 and 2018 display refined tannins worthy of the finest classified growths.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

History, architecture (a stunning neoclassical château overlooking the estuary), vineyards (70 hectares on clay-gravel soils), a serious approach to work both in the vineyard and in the cellar, and, of course, the quality of the wines—all these factors make Phélan Ségur a leading estate in the appellation. It confirms this once again with a truly first-class 2010 vintage. In terms of the blend, the balance leans slightly toward Cabernet Sauvignon (51%). In the glass, this is a wine that charms from the very first whiff, where ripe fruit and spices are accompanied by menthol and licorice. The palate follows suit, revealing a beautiful texture—rich and silky—supported by powerful yet refined tannins that highlight a long finish. The overall impression is both harmonious and intense, a masterful balance between the structure and finesse of the Cabernet and the approachability of the Merlot. Great promise for the next ten years (and beyond).

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 soils. It has also had renowned owners. Bernard Phélan, who already owned Domaine de Garamey, purchased land in 1810 from Joseph-Marie de Ségur, Count of Cabanac (who shared only a name with the Ségurs of Lafite and Calon). Then, for a long time, the Delons, a leading name in the Médoc, Xavier Gardinier starting in 1985, and finally Philippe Van de Vyvere since 2018.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the wine:

The fruit is enchanting, and the wine’s velvety texture is exemplary, complemented by supple, rich, and rounded tannins. This young vintage features notes of blackcurrant and blueberry. Its aromas caress the palate with finesse. Perfect for sharing over a fine meal.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

A benchmark for its vintage, the 2010 Phélan Ségur boasts a deep ruby-purple color, with notes of blackberry and blackcurrant intertwined with floral hints and a subtle touch of oak, along with nuances of lavender and licorice. Opulent, ripe, and full-bodied, this wine is best enjoyed over the next 10 to 15 years.

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

About the wine:

With its powerful, richly fruity, and gently minty aroma, the 2010 vintage is superb, velvety, and full-bodied.

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 chapter in the history of what is undoubtedly one of the best unclassified wines in the Médoc. He has everything he needs to succeed and is expected to continue along the path he has been following for several years now. Phélan Ségur produces a noble wine—not always showy, but distinguished and with excellent aging potential.