Wines Saint-Estèphe Château Phélan Ségur - 2016 - 2016

Viniou Reviews

Château Phélan Ségur 2016 is a distinguished red wine from the Saint-Estèphe appellation within the Médoc in Bordeaux, France. This blend, classic for the region, is predominantly composed of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with smaller proportions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot enhancing structure and aromatic complexity. The 2016 vintage is particularly esteemed, benefiting from an optimal growing season with a wet spring followed by a splendidly dry, sunny summer and autumn, ensuring fully ripe grapes. The terroir here is marked by deep gravelly soils overlaying clay, conferring both power and elegance to the wine. Vinification at Château Phélan Ségur is meticulous: hand-harvested grapes, gentle extraction, and careful ageing in French oak barrels, of which a significant portion are new, endow the wine with harmony, refined tannins, and a long ageing potential.

Saint-Estèphe is renowned for producing some of Bordeaux's most robust and age-worthy wines. The region's proximity to the Gironde estuary moderates the climate, reducing frost risk and aiding grape ripening. The distinctive soils, a mosaic of gravel, clay, and limestone, foster powerful, structured wines with unmistakable minerality and depth. Over centuries, Saint-Estèphe has cultivated a reputation for producing reds that gracefully combine sturdy tannic frameworks with expressive black fruit and earthy notes.

This Saint-Estèphe excels with classic pairings such as roast rack of lamb with rosemary, grilled ribeye steak, or duck breast in a red wine jus. Regional dishes, like entrecôte à la bordelaise (rib steak in a savoury shallot and wine sauce) or mushroom and truffle fricassée, also complement the wine's rich texture and earthy nuances. For cheese, opt for aged Comté or a mature Tomme de Savoie.

For optimal pleasure, decant Château Phélan Ségur 2016 about one to two hours before serving, allowing the bouquet to unfurl fully. Present the wine at a temperature of 16-18°C to highlight its layered fruit, subtle spice, and velvety tannins. This wine promises continued evolution in the cellar for a decade or more, offering a rewarding tasting experience at each stage.