2016 Chateau Phelan Segur

95 POINTS

Panos Kakaviatos - Decanter

My overall favourite, as it displays such personality, gourmandise and freshness. Combines elegance, smoothness, lift on the finish, which is floral, without falling into a modern ‘glossy’ trap. Worth the higher price.

95 POINTS

James Suckling

A very serious St.-Estèphe with excellent concentration, firm tannins and a dark soul. I love the earth, walnut, bark and smoke aromas that pour out of this. Very long, dramatic, dry finish. Better from 2021.

94 POINTS

Elin McCoy - Decanter

I tasted this vintage on several occasions, and it delivers lush pure cassis fruit, freshness with concentration, velvety tannins, and a kind of glossiness along with a peppery spiciness. A late harvest took place from September 29 to October 21. The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot, aged in 50% new barrels, but they are moving to lighter toasting. In recent years, this estate consistently performs above its unclassified status in terms of complexity, character, and personality. 2016 was the last vintage from the Gardinier family; the new owner plans even more investment and is farming part of the vineyards organically.

94 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

Another sleeper from Saint-Estèphe, the 2016 Phélan Ségur is super impressive. An enticing bouquet laced with crushed rocks, graphite, iron, smoke, lavender, mint and inky blue/purplish fruit makes a strong opening statement. A wine of power, resonance and gravitas, the 2016 Phélan is remarkably expressive and also full of potential. Tasted two times.

93 POINTS

Wine Spectator

This is a touch old-school, with bay and tobacco notes out front followed by alder, warm earth and steeped black currant flavors. The grippy finish lets the fruit and earth notes wrestle a bit, leaving a chewy feel. Will settle with cellaring, but this is not for fans of finesse. Best from 2022 through 2035. 15,000 cases made.

93 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

There is a much better balance between fruit and the wood aging in this vintage from this estate than in the past. This wine offers richness and structure from fruit tannin. Dark fruits give the wine rich intensity. Drink from 2025.

91 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2016 Phélan-Ségur has a generous nose of pencil-lead-infused black fruit, plus touches of wild mint and damp earth/truffle aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with gritty tannins and a fine bead of acidity. It feels slightly pinched toward a finish that displays just a soupçon of dryness, but there is commendable persistence in situ . Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.

Jancis Robinson MW

Tasted blind. Zippy, intense, bags of fruit on the nose. Round and gorgeous. Masses of fruit covers the tannin and without too much acidity – unexpected for this appellation. Dry end though. Score: 18/20