Château PHELAN SEGUR 2023

Description

Neal Martin 92-94 points www.vinous.com
The 2023 Phélan Ségur was picked September 18 to October 11 at 52hL/ha and matured in 55% new oak. This has a very pure bouquet. You can actually tell that there is less SO2 being employed here since it displays that strong crushed strawberry fruit, almost confit-like character, turning more floral with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins. This is very well balanced, though not a Phélan Ségur laden with huge concentration (the analytical alcohol is a more restrained 13.54%). There is just a touch of balsamic that perks up the finish, while graphite notes join the chorus line toward the close. Quite an « involving » wine in the cards, this will be fascinating to revisit once in bottle.

Yves Beck 95-97 points www.yvesbeck.wine
Phélan 2023 se positionne avec assurance, avec précision, en joignant l’utile à l’agréable serais-je tenté de dire. Agréable car le bouquet est très harmonieux et utile parce qu’il affiche d’emblée un caractère sérieux, précis. Outre de fines nuances boisées, le bouquet révèle du fruit et de la minéralité respectivement des notes de baies noires et de graphite complétées par des effluves de menthe, de réglisse et de miettes de pain. Le caractère soyeux de l’attaque cède la place à des tannins structurants qui s’édifient le long du palais. Certes, ils sont encore un peu serrés mais surtout fins et en mesure d’assurer une assise fiable. L’acidité, elle, est incisive et salivante. Elle assure tempérament et fraîcheur tandis qu’une subtile amertume favorise l’expression et la persistance aromatique de la finale. Un Phélan Ségur qui se positionne avec conviction parmi les grandes réussites de l’appellation !  2028-2053

Georgina Hindle 95 points  www.decanter.com
An excellent Phélan. Darkly fragrant, herbal and softly floral with blackcurrant, red cherry and coffee bean accents. Smooth and supple, gorgeous approachability in the juiciness and sense of life. So easy to enjoy this, cool and classic scents of blue fruits and crisp red fruit. Layered, clean and finessed. Svelte, not much muscle but there’s underlying power in the long finish with hints of mint. Extremely balanced and juicy, with a touch of sweetness and freshness and then the cleaning minerality comes through giving a powdery soft ending with elements of wet stone and graphite. Very St-Estephe and very successful. 52hl/ha yield. 60% grand vin, 40% second wine. Two thirds of the wine is vinified with with indigenous yeasts to give more terroir identity. Longest harvest ever at the estate, beginning on September 18 until October 11. 1.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Drinking Window: 2028 – 2045

Antonion Galloni 92-94 points www.vinous.com
The 2023 Phélan Ségur is a powerful, brooding wine. Black cherry, plum, gravel, incense, licorice, dried herbs, lavender and mocha infuse the 2023 with striking complexity. Persistent saline notes lend energy, dimension and shape. The Cabernet Sauvignon really screams with intensity here. Tasted two times.