2022 Ch Phelan-Segur, St Estèphe

94-96 points jebdunnuck.com

The 2022 Phelan Segur is made from 56% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, with a yield of 28 hl/ha. Deep garnet-purple in color, it charges out with rambunctious notes of kirsch, black cherries, boysenberry preserves, and garrigue, followed by suggestions of lilacs, Sichuan pepper, and cinnamon stick. The medium to full-bodied palate is laden with juicy black fruit and red berry sparks, supported by firm, grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, leading to a long and spicy finish on this very pretty wine. pH 3.8, TPI 96.

“The main factor for us in 2022 was the hailstorm on the 20th of June,” said the estate’s managing director Véronique Dausse. “We are 30% down on yields just due to this hailstorm. This was mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, so we have more Merlot in the blend this year, which is very unusual. We had to be very open-minded, but also needed to keep the identity of Phélan Ségur. We harvested from 14th to 26th of September. We had very small berries, the Merlot berries were the normal size of Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Cabernet Sauvignon berries were even smaller. We stopped the extraction two days before the end of the alcoholic fermentation. We managed the extraction slower; it was more like infusion. The maceration time was 27 days, which is normal. We have changed the choice of barrels to match the style of the wine. We already have a wine that is very structured. We want to round and polish the wine but not add oak. We are using only our own indigenous, selected yeast now for 50% of production.”

The 2022 Phélan Ségur is certainly an atypical style, yet it is superbly crafted and downright delicious.

93-95 points LPB thewineindependent.com

A delicious and well-constructed wine from the Phélan team in 2022. Polished, balanced and just so drinkable - proximity to the river and clay soil helping keep freshness in the hot and dry conditions. A gorgeous texture straight away, clean and clear, juicy, vibrant and grippy with a chalky, flint and graphite element to the fine tannins. You really feel they've taken the best the vintage had to offer with precise definition to all the elements; ripe bramble and cherry fruit, high acidity with a wonderful spiced and mineral signature from the St-Estephe terroir. A combination of power and charm that builds in structure and intensity while keeping a mouthwatering energy from start to finish. A top buy - and could be upscored in bottle! Tasted four times throughout April and loved it every time. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.8pH. 96IPT. Harvest took 13 days in total, from 14 - 26 September whereas the last three years picking has started on the 24th September. A yield of 28hl/ha. 75% grand vin production. The team have also been working for the past few years on different yeasts for fermentation in order to get more precision and a stronger link to the vineyards. 50% of production in 2022 was vinified using natural yeasts - five strains taken from five plots and used to vinify grapes from each of their respective parcels.  Julien Viaud consultant. HVE/Terra Vitis.

95 points GH decanter.com