2019 Phélan Ségur, St-Estèphe

The 2019 Phelan Segur is composed of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a lot of shaking to wake up notes of baked plums, blackcurrant pastilles, and clove oil, followed by hints of tree bark, graphite, and tapenade with a waft of crushed rocks. The full-bodied palate is super tightly wound at this stage, featuring very firm, ripe tannins and seamless acidity, finishing very long and earthy. (LPB)

This is easily one of my favorite wines on the shelf. The critical acclaim and remarkable pricing are just bonuses—the real story lies in the bottle and the people behind it. Over the past decade, Phélan-Ségur has evolved from a charming, under-the-radar estate into one of the region’s great collectible values. While other vintages may eventually rival it, the 2019 stands as the benchmark for me at the estate—a simply brilliant wine crafted by Véronique Dausse. Aromatically, it offers black fruit layered with floral notes and a touch of earthiness. On the palate, it is undeniable: a stunning, finely pixelated texture that reveals nuance after nuance. Black and red fruits intermingle with persistent minerality, refreshing acidity, and a concentration that promises a long, exciting evolution. Like all great wines, it effortlessly invites another sip. This is a superb Saint-Estèphe and one of the great success stories of 2019. I’d confidently put it up against the big names of the Northern Médoc, and it would have no trouble holding its own. As I’ve mentioned before, this vintage from Phélan-Ségur is one we’re always searching for, but it’s rarely found. We’ll continue to pursue bottles with perfect provenance, though pricing like this will be difficult to match in the future—if more even surfaces. Grab it while it’s available, and you’ll secure one of the region’s triumphant wines for years to come, at a price that makes opening bottle after bottle an easy decision.