Phélan Ségur 2016

Tasted blind. Concentrated crimson. Interesting, subtle nose. Very juicy for a 2016 St-Estèphe initially and then the tannins step in. Needs a lot of time! [GV]

Showing beautifully on multiple occasions, the 2016 Château Phélan Ségur is incredibly impressive and reveals a saturated purple as well as pure cassis, violets, damp earth, lead pencil, and spice-driven aromas and flavors. Beautifully layered and textured, concentrated, with fine tannins and the purity and elegance that make the vintage so compelling front and center, it’s a high-class Saint Estèphe to enjoy over the coming 20-25 years or more. Drink 2019-2044.

The nose is bright with bramble and bilberry the start of the palate fresh the mid palate rich with concentrated black cherry the fruit underpinned by firm but fine tannins. Ripe and rich at the back the finish is brighter with fresh fruits nice length. 2025-41

I can’t recall tasting a better young Phélan-Ségur than this rich, concentrated, abundantly perfumed 2016 release. It’s a confident, self-assured wine displaying all the good things about St Estèphe and none of the gruffness the appellation sometimes suffers from. Smooth, nuanced and refined with plush blueberry and blackcurrant fruit and fine tannins. 2026-38

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. Drink 2023-2045.

The 2016 Phélan-Ségur has a refined bouquet of earthy black fruit, black truffle and smoke, perhaps just needing a little more vigor. The palate is medium-bodied, with quite grainy tannin, and a little rigid at the moment. The linear, conservative, pencil-lead-infused finish needs more flesh to develop with bottle age. Not bad, but I think the 2015 is better. It feels as if it doesn’t want to go the extra mile like others in Saint-Estèphe. Drink 2021-2036.

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. 2021 - 2036

The 2016 Phelan-Segur has a really quite superb bouquet, quite Pauillac-like in style with graphite-infused black fruit, subtle tertiary notes and later, pressed flowers. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. There is plenty of tobacco-infused black fruit here, crisp and focused with a lovely salinity on the finish that lingers in the mouth. This is a strong follow-up to the excellent 2015 and may even surpass it. This is a Saint-Estephe that is getting better and better.Drink Date 2022 - 2045

A super fragrant red with blackberry and blueberry aromas plus hints of blackcurrants. Full-bodied, powerful and structured. Tannic. Very long finish. A muscular and intense wine.

Some wines are just about pure pleasure, and from the first glass you know that this is begging you to sit back, enjoy, and pour a glass for a friend. Not as long living as some of the other wines on this list, but it's a 2016 that shows the beauty of the vintage without having to wait another five years to enjoy. Cocoa bean, espresso and tar dominate on the first nose, then bristling blackcurrant fruits appear, with tension through the palate and a mouthwatering finish. 50% new oak.

Gorgeous brambly blackcurrant and cassis fruit on the nose with touches of hawthorn brambles adding acidity and freshness. This is closed and yet you can clearly see the muscle and potential of what is going on in the glass. Just a stunning wine, proof once again of how 2016 is an outstanding vintage in Bordeaux. Tons of St Estèphe typicity, tons of confident tannic hold, this is excellent and delivers exactly what you want from this vintage. Great stuff from Phélan Ségur. A fitting last vintage under the Gardinier brothers. 3.64pH. Drink 2022-2044.

They finished picking here on 25th October, one of the latest ever harvests at Phélan. Feathery tannins and a fresh, ripe but crunchy aspect to the fruit gives a real sense of vivacity and grip. I love the dark pepper spice that clamps around the fruit on the second half of the palate. This is an excellent vintage for Phélan, for me better than both the 2015 and 2014. It's full of life with silky, extremely pliable tannins (the IPT comes in at 89, but they reflect the signature of the vintage by being soft and lush) and a slow build up to a juicy frame that catches the fruit. Blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, aged in 50% new oak.Drinking Window 2024 - 2042

Tasted blind. Concentrated crimson. Interesting, subtle nose. Very juicy for a 2016 St-Estèphe initially and then the tannins step in. Needs a lot of time! [Good Value]. Drink 2030-2050.

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.Drink 2026 – 2045

Comfortable, well-balanced, bone-dry rendition. Very appetising. Very dry finish. Classical build. Far from heavy. Meaty and spicy and very agreeable to drink! Drink 2025-2040