Château Phélan Ségur 2017, Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux

Château Phélan Ségur is the grand vin of the Saint-Estèphe estate founded in the early 19th century by the Irish wine broker Bernard Phelan. The vineyard covers 70 hectares of clay and gravel near the Gironde estuary, and the grand vin is made from a selection of the older vines. The blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine is aged for around 18 months in oak barrels, with no more than half of them new.

Château Phélan Ségur Saint-Estèphe combines the firm structure of the appellation with real finesse. The nose shows blackcurrant, black cherry and plum with graphite, cedar and a hint of liquorice. The palate is full bodied, with firm but polished tannins, fresh acidity and a long, mineral finish.

It is an excellent match for a T-bone or côte de boeuf, roast lamb, venison or hard cheeses such as aged Gouda. Serve at 16–18°C and decant for an hour or two when young. Château Phélan Ségur rewards patience: it starts to open around six to eight years after the vintage and will age well for 15–20 years.

Château Phélan Ségur looks out over the Gironde estuary at Saint-Estèphe and owes its name to an Irishman. Bernard Phelan, an Irish-born wine broker who settled in Bordeaux at the end of the 18th century, bought the Clos de Garamey in 1805 and the neighbouring Ségur de Cabanac estate in 1810, joining them to form the property. His son Frank developed the estate further. Xavier Gardinier bought Phélan Ségur in 1985 and his family transformed it over more than thirty years before handing over to Philippe Van de Vyvere. The 70 hectares of clay-gravel vineyard, with an average vine age of around 35 years, produce wines celebrated for elegance and balance, with Michel Rolland as consultant.