Wine Advisor
Phelan Segur 2009
View analysis
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The best Phelan-Segur since the 1990, this is a rather dense, full-bodied, massive wine for a cru bourgeois. Sweet blackberry and black raspberry fruit intermixed with crushed rock and a hint of subtle oak jump from the glass of this full-bodied, intense, yet attractive and alluring wine. There is significant depth and substance to this Phelan-Segur, which is a sleeper of the vintage that should last up to 15 or more years.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at the chateau, UGC and negociant. Sweet black plum and briary on the nose with moderate definition, not quite the brilliance of other Saint Estephe 2009s, but it coalesces nicely in the glass. Very pure, some chalk dust notes developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied, very taut, citric acidity, a little chalky towards the finish. Moderate depth. I like the focus here, the energy, though I think this is a wine that will show much better 4-5 months down the line. Cabernet dominated finish with just a touch of white pepper right on the finish. Certainly much better than the 2008 tasted alongside. Tasted March 2010.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Like many of the top 2009s, Phelan-Segur is a huge, full-bodied effort with massive fruit as well as good freshness, precision, and elegance. This is all rather paradoxical given previous great vintages that either lean toward cooler vintage characteristics or hot ones. This 2009 possesses both styles. It exhibits lots of mulberry, boysenberry, and crushed, jammy black fruits, abundant tannin, medium to full body, an opulent mouthfeel, and enough structure to evolve for two decades or more. This is a sleeper of the vintage. (Tasted two times.)
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. I must say, this is disappointing on the nose which got out the wrong side of bed this morning. Touches of cassis and blackberry wine-gums, but it is missing some intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannins, but lacking weight and breadth on the finish. I was expecting more and perhaps it just needs another 12 months in bottle. Tasted October 2011.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. Phelan does it again…served blind it embarrasses not only my previous scores but also its peers in this flight, just as it did in the same place apropos 2005. Here, the 2009 displays more unresolved oak on the nose, although is clearly the fruit concentration to subsume it with time. Perhaps it is glossier, more extrovert than its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins on the entry. It has a very pleasing balance, bags of freshness and vigour with a precise, mineral-rich finish that is convincing. Tasted January 2013.
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Phélan Ségur leaps from the glass with scents of crème de cassis, molten chocolate, licorice and blueberry compote with touches of cardamom, Morello cherries and dried mint. Medium to full-bodied, the palate reveals beautiful poise with a fine frame of grainy tannins and a refreshing backbone, finishing long and mineral laced.
Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata
Deep ruby-red. Pretty redcurrant and strawberry aromas are complicated by a touch of dried herbs. Enters silky-smooth, with a delicate peppery quality nicely lifting the ripe red berry and cherry flavors. Finishes moderately long and clean, with a faint tart edge. I found myself wishing for a little more complexity, but this charming midweight is easygoing and supple. Offers considerable upfront charm and in-your-face sweetness, but will probably be best for drinking in the near to mid-term.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2009 Phélan-Ségur has a more generous and slightly more exotic bouquet than its peers with plush red cherry, redcurrant, soy and forest floor aromas that soar from the glass. Thankfully it maintains ample freshness and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip, quite firm and slightly chalky tannin with unerring symmetry and tension towards the finish that is pure class. This is an outstanding contribution to the vintage and it surely constitutes one of the best wines ever made at the estate. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Medium bright red-ruby. Wild, musky aromas of black raspberry, smoky oak and crushed rock. Broad, silky, dry and laid-back, with a subtle sweetness to its complex flavors of dark berries, licorice, herbs and black olive. Finishes ripe and smooth, with big, fine-grained tannins and excellent breadth and length. An excellent vintage for this chateau.
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.
1982(1)1990(2)1994(1)1995(1)1997(1)2000(2)2001(2)2002(3)2003(5)2004(2)2005(3)2006(3)2007(2)2008(2)
Package Size
