2024 Phelan-Segur (St-Estephe)

Austere opening, you feel the shape and length of the tannins, well placed and skilfully constructed, with slim Cabernet floral rose petals and peony notes alongside savoury bilberry fruit, touch of liquorice bud and fresh juice on this finish. Finessed, drawn out, expertly constructed. Harvest 30 September to 14 October. 30 hl/ha. 55% new oak. 3.72 pH, Veronique Dausse director. Tasted twice. 92 points

The 2024 Phelan Segur is an absolute delight. Dark and ample, the 2024 offers up a compelling mix of black cherry, leather, game, incense, licorice, gravel and pipe tobacco. All the elements are so well balanced. The blend is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, in other words, a very high percentage of Cabernet. That comes through nicely in the wine`s aromatic finish. Phelan Segur is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the year. Tasted four times. 92-94 points

The 2024 Phelan Segur was picked between September 30 and October 14 at 30 hl/ha, and will be matured in 55% new oak barrels. There is 12.9% alcohol (analytical). Cabernet Sauvignon clearly exerts the most influence over its understated bouquet with blackberry, cedar and light graphite scents. The nose displays fine delineation, though obviously not the intensity of, say, the 2022 vintage. The palate is medium-bodied and linear in style with lighter tannins than in recent vintages and an attractive sapid note that runs from start to finish. The strict, black-olive-tinged finale seems almost Pauillac-like. There is an appealing classicism to the 2024, and it should drink well for a couple of decades. 91-93 points