Phélan Ségur

History of Château Phélan Ségur

Founded by Bernard Phélan, an Irish wine merchant who settled in Bordeaux at the end of the 18th century, Château Phélan Ségur was born from the merger of two properties: the Clos de Garramey, acquired in 1805, and the Ségur de Cabanac estate, purchased in 1810. Passionate about viticulture, Bernard Phélan bequeathed to his son Frank Phélan an extensive domain which, under his direction, quickly established itself in the Médoc. Frank, a lover of the Médoc terroir, consolidated the reputation of Phélan Ségur while playing an essential role in the Saint-Estèphe community, of which he was the mayor for three decades.

Over the generations, the estate has weathered many eras, adapting to market and technical evolutions. In 1985, the Gardinier family acquired it and undertook significant work to restore the domain and strengthen its identity. Finally, in 2018, the château was purchased by Philippe Van de Vyvere, a Belgian industrialist passionate about wine, who continues the excellence work initiated by his predecessors.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Château Phélan Ségur

The Château Phélan Ségur vineyard extends over 70 hectares, divided into four large parcels located on the prestigious slopes and plateaus of Saint-Estèphe. These soils, rich in clay-gravel, offer a complex and unique terroir that gives the wines an exceptional minerality and structure. Overlooking the Gironde estuary, the vines benefit from a temperate microclimate that protects the grapes from climatic extremes, allowing for a regular and optimal maturation.

The grape varieties in the vineyard are mainly composed of Cabernet Sauvignon (58%) and Merlot (39%), with small amounts of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc (1.5% each). These grape varieties, emblematic of the region, give the château's wines a powerful structure and aromatic finesse that ensure excellent ageing potential.

Under the direction of Stéphane Rougé, the vineyard manager, Château Phélan Ségur adopts a reasoned viticulture, respectful of the environment and soils. Prophylactic techniques, soil maintenance through ploughing and grass cover, and the preservation of biodiversity demonstrate a constant commitment to a vineyard in harmony with its ecosystem.

Winemaking at Château Phélan Ségur

At Château Phélan Ségur, winemaking is an art of precision. The grapes, manually harvested at optimal maturity, are carefully transported in small crates to avoid any alteration of the berries. They then go through several sorting stages, including an optical sorting, ensuring a rigorous selection of the raw material.

Fermentation takes place over about ten days, punctuated by specific pump-overs and punching down for each batch, thus favouring a delicate extraction of phenolic compounds. After fermentation, a long maceration of around 20 days allows for the extraction of the full richness of the grape. This parcel-by-parcel vinification is facilitated by the 39 vats of different sizes in the cellar, which allow for respecting the individuality of each plot.

The wine is then racked into barrels, where it undergoes malolactic fermentation, providing roundness and suppleness to the tannins. The ageing, lasting 16 to 18 months for the Grand Vin, is done in French oak barrels, with only 50% being new, to maintain the balance between woody aromas and the character of the terroir. Throughout the year, the wines are aged with care according to the traditional method of racking by "guile", a demanding technique that demonstrates respect for artisanal methods.

The Cuvées of Château Phélan Ségur

Château Phélan Ségur offers several cuvées that each reflect a unique facet of its terroir and know-how.

The Grand Vin of Château Phélan Ségur  

This powerful and elegant wine is made from the estate's oldest vines. With a predominance of Cabernet Sauvignon, it reveals a harmonious structure, silky tannins and great aromatic complexity. After a long ageing, it opens up with a complex bouquet blending notes of black fruits, spices, leather and delicately integrated oak. The freshness and intensity of this wine make it an exceptional vintage, capable of ageing for several decades and developing rich tertiary aromas.

Frank Phélan - Second Wine  

Created in 1986, Frank Phélan pays tribute to Bernard Phélan's son. Made from a selection of younger vines, this second wine expresses a more immediate and accessible facet of the domain. With its aromas of crisp fruit and supple tannins, it seduces with its balance and roundness, and can be enjoyed in its early years. The 14-month barrel ageing gives Frank Phélan an elegant structure, while allowing the fruit to express its full indulgence.

La Croix Bonis  

Mainly from Merlot plots, La Croix Bonis is a fleshy and generous cuvée. Aged for 12 months, this wine is marked by aromas of ripe fruit, a supple texture and melted tannins. Accessible and pleasant, it is ideal to drink within 3 to 8 years of its production. La Croix Bonis embodies a pure expression of the Saint-Estèphe terroir, offering a more fruity and direct wine, perfect for more casual occasions.

The wines of Saint-Estèphe, a prestigious appellation of the Bordeaux vineyard, are distinguished by their elegance and longevity. Among the finest vintages are the years 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1990, which have impressed wine enthusiasts with their power and complexity. The following decades have not been outdone, with exceptional vintages such as 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and more recently 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. These years have confirmed Saint-Estèphe's ability to produce wines combining finesse and depth, emblematic of the Bordeaux terroir.

Château Phélan Ségur is a true icon of the Saint-Estèphe appellation, combining tradition and innovation to produce exceptional wines. The diversity and quality of the cuvées, whether the Grand Vin or the second wines Frank Phélan and La Croix Bonis, reflect a unique know-how and a deep attachment to the terroir. With reasoned viticultural practices and high-precision winemaking, Château Phélan Ségur guarantees elegant and refined wines, capable of crossing decades while developing complex aromas and a silky texture.