ChateauPhelan-SegurSaintEstephe2018HALFBottle(37.5cl)

Red, Bordeaux, France

Chateau Phelan-Segur has existed in Saint-Estephe, in Bordeaux, for hundreds of years before Irishman Bernard O’Phelan bought a couple of vineyards here in the early 1800s. It lies next to Chateau Montrose and Chateau Calon-Segur on gravel and clay soils leading down to the Gironde estuary. It was named Chateau Phelan-Segur a hundred years later, and remains at the forefront of great Saint-Estephe wines, although the property is now owned by Belgian Philippe Van de Vyvere and managed by Veronique Dausse.

The 2018 vintage is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Merlot, aged in French oak barrels (50% of these barrels were new, imparting a lovely spice character). With a deep, reddish/mahogany colour and fine aromas of red and black fruits and graphite too, plus a slightly gamier and tobacco flavour of a great Bordeaux that is starting to show some more complexity. It’s medium-full bodied, certainly not a heavy wine but with the rich, flavourful palate that is typical of 2018. An excellent price given the quality and a wine to drink now (decant for an hour prior to serving) or keep another 10 years in half bottle. 14% alcohol.