94 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate - The 2017 Phélan Ségur is medium to deep garnet-purple colored with pronounced cassis, black raspberries, kirsch and violets with notions of cedar, earth and cigars. The palate is medium-bodied and elegant with great intensity, fine-grained and firm, finishing long and perfumed. Drink: 2022-2039.
93 Points Vinous - The 2017 Phélan Ségur has turned out beautifully. A wine of real substance and personality, Phélan Ségur is endowed with quite a bit of depth. Black plum, chocolate, spice, leather and mocha are some of the many notes that infuse this wonderfully expressive Saint-Estèphe. Readers should expect a bold, savory wine driven by strong Cabernet Sauvignon accents and structure. Accordingly, the 2017 needs time to be at its very best. In 2017, the Grand Vin contains an unusually high amount of Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), much of which was able to hang until early October, with 34% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Winemaker Fabrice Bacquey opted to reduce exposure to oxygen during fermentation with the goal of maintaining as much freshness in the fruit as possible. I continue to be deeply impressed with the work Bacquey, Estate Manager Véronique Dausse and consulting winemaker Michel Rolland have done at Phélan over the last few years. Tasted two times. Drink: 2022-2037.
93 Points Jeb Dunnuck - Showing nicely, the 2017 Chateau Phelan Segur is a textbook Saint-Estephe that plays beautifully in the vintage. Classis Saint-Estephe earthy dark fruits, spice box, cedary herbs, and hints of chocolate all emerge from the glass, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a rounded, seamless texture, loads of sweet fruit, and a great finish. It's a beautiful effort that readers should snatch up. Drink bottles over the coming 15-20 years. Drink: 2020-2040.
93 Points James Suckling - A firm, silky red with lovely tightness and depth, offering currant, blueberry and hazelnut aromas and flavors. Shows layers and beauty. Bright and vivid. Lovely length. Better in 2022 or later.
93 Points Decanter - Ruby red color, medium intensity, fairly delicate in structure with floral notes on the nose. This unrolls in the glass, but it is quieter than many of the other recent vintages as it reflects the cooler summer. One that you need to sit with and allow to open but once it does the blackberry fruit is clear, and gentle smoked cedar and cigar box notes add complexity. New owner, Philippe Van de Vyvere as of this vintage. Harvest from September 14 to October 4. 3.74pH. Drinking Window: 2022-2038.
