Wines Saint-Estèphe Château Phélan Ségur - 2022

Viniou Reviews

Château Phélan Ségur 2022 from Saint-Estèphe is a striking example of Bordeaux’s classic expertise in crafting robust, age-worthy reds. Though exact varietal proportions are not specified for this particular vintage, the estate traditionally favours a blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with smaller elements of Cabernet Franc and sometimes Petit Verdot. The 2022 vintage, a product of a warm and relatively dry year, is anticipated to offer splendid concentration, ripe tannins, and pronounced aromatics developed during careful vinification and ageing in French oak barrels. The Médoc’s gravelly soils, particularly in Saint-Estèphe, add minerality and a distinctive structure, ensuring both freshness and longevity for this wine.

Saint-Estèphe, the northernmost of Bordeaux’s major Médoc appellations, is renowned for its deep gravel and clay soils over limestone, offering superb drainage and cooling influences from the nearby Gironde estuary. These unique soils help vines reach full ripeness while preserving acidity, giving the wines their noted power, depth, and sometimes a slightly earthy character. The appellation's history is rich, with estates like Château Phélan Ségur charting a steady rise in quality over recent decades. The climate, tempered by the Atlantic, supports gradual, even grape maturation, critical for achieving balance in such structured wines.

For food pairings, this Saint-Estèphe’s robust frame and refined tannins make it a natural companion for red meats. Classic pairings include rare grilled ribeye, roast lamb with Provencal herbs, or duck breast. Regional dishes like entrecôte à la bordelaise (steak with a red wine and shallot sauce) or confit de canard are equally wonderful. Mature cheeses, especially aged Comté or Cantal, also highlight the wine’s depth and complexity.

Decanting for at least two hours is recommended to allow the young wine to open up and express its aromatic profile fully. Serve it at a temperature between 16-18°C. Enjoy now for its vibrant fruit and energy, or cellar for a decade to appreciate its evolving finesse.