Wine Advisor
Phelan Segur 2005
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
One of the stronger efforts in St.-Estèphe in 2005, this Phélan-Sègur exhibits good depth of fruit, including mulberry, black and red currants, earth and spice. It is medium-bodied, with sweet tannin and excellent concentration. Drink it over the next 12-15 years.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at Chateau Phelan-Segur. The Phelan-Segur 2005 still has that lovely, very pure red-berried fruit on the nose with beautifully integrated creamy oak that still allows the terroir to express itself. The palate is very svelte, smooth, very harmonious with filigree tannins, leading to an almost sumptuous finish. Highly recommended and perhaps one of the more open 2005s to enjoy in its youth. Drink now-2020+ Tasted March 2011.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The finest Phelan-Segur since the 1990, the 2005 offers up scents of charcoal, creme de cassis, blueberries, and white flowers. With lovely fruit, abundant fat and richness, medium to full body, and moderately high but sweet tannin, it should drink well for 15 or more years.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A bit dull on the nose: mulberry, leather and blackberry. Lacks a little lift. The palate is just a little over-extracted and lacking focus. I really wanted this to be better - perhaps it will ameliorate after barrel ageing? Tasted April 2006.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Space limitations did not allow complete tasting notes for this Cru Bourgeois, but 2005 is the finest vintage for these wines since 1982. The range of scores for these wines should give readers an idea of just how consistent this vintage is at this level. Given the style of the vintage, most of these wines should be accessible young yet evolve for a decade or more because of their concentration and tannic structure.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
I had hoped this offering would turn out even better, but it is still a tasty, well-made Bordeaux that represents reasonably good value in this super-expensive vintage. Deep ruby to the rim, it offers up scents of damp earth, black currants, cherries, licorice, and herbs, medium body, moderate tannin, and 10-15 years of longevity.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted single blind at Southwold. Well-well-well. This Phelan-Segur trounced all opposition from nearly every participant. I said that it might ameliorate after barrel ageing but this? It has a very expressive nose with black fruits, cooked meat, scorched earth and a slight garrigues scent coming through. Complex and engaging. A medium-bodied palate, quite grainy, nicely balanced, very clean fruit and very cohesive. Touches of game towards the finish. Great persistency. Good breeding and structure with a slightly austere finish. Vin de garde. The question mark is there because I want to reconfirm this eulogy. Tasted January 2009.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
(a 50/50 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot) Bright, full ruby. Violet, blackberry and licorice on the nose. Bright, juicy and focused, with very good density and purity of black fruit flavors. Finishes with fairly full, slightly drying tannins but has the strength of material to support its solid structure. Should develop slowly. A good showing today.
About the Producer
Chateau Phelan Segur is one of the wineries in the Saint-Estephe region of Bordeaux, France, and a member of the Union Des Grands Crus De Bordeaux. Since the beginning of the 19th century, Château Fragrance, located in the heart of the Saint-Estèphe appellation, has commanded majestic views over the Gironde. Irishman Bernard Phelan created this winery by merging two vineyards, Clos de Garramey and Domaine Segur. Later, Bernard's son Frank expanded the industry and changed the name of the winery to "Flying Dragon Family Winery" in the early 20th century. Under the careful care of the owner, the Fragrance Family Winery is famous for its elegant, delicate and mild style wines. In 1985, the Gardinier family bought the winery and it has been in operation ever since. The current vineyard area of Fragrance Saga Winery is 70 hectares, of which 55% of the land is used for Cabernet Sauvignon (Cabernet Sauvignon) grapes, 43% of the land is used to cultivate Merlot (Merlot) grapes, 1% of the land It is used to cultivate Petit Verdot, and 1% of the land is used to cultivate Cabernet Franc grapes. When the grapes reach the ideal ripeness, the winery will pick them manually. After picking, the grapes are screened, peeled, and then fermented in the traditional way. The fermented wine is then aged for 16-18 months in 60% new French oak barrels before being bottled in the winery. The Fragrance family winery produces three dry red wines, namely the Frank Phelan brand and the Fragrance family Bernie dry red wine (La Croix), which is mainly made from Cabernet Sauvignon from better vineyards. Bonis, Saint-Estephe, France), the current average annual production is 200,000 bottles.
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