Collection: Ch Phelan Segur
Irish origins, four families and more than two centuries of passion, respect for the terroir and innovation in the service of a great name.
After more than thirty years in charge of the property, the Gardinier family has decided to pass on the reins to Philippe Van de Vyvere. For this great wine enthusiast, taking over this prestigious growth is the fulfilment of one of his most cherished Dreams.
The vineyard of Château Phélan Ségur covers 70 hectares of magnificent clay-gravels on the hillocks and plateaux of Saint-Estèphe. Made up of four large sections, the parcels adjoin the vineyards of Châteaux Montrose and Calon Ségur, among others. The planting density is high. The mix of grape varieties is original: the talented duo of the Médoc (58% Cabernet Sauvignon and 39% Merlot) are complemented by a touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot (1.5% of each). Cabernet Sauvignon, the king of Médoc grape varieties, brings incomparable power and structure: it is the backbone of the Grand Vin. Merlot expresses an attractive roundness and unrivalled suppleness. To preserve diversity and bring a hint of spice, Petit Verdot made its entry to the property in 2015. It excels on heavier soils where clay dominates. It is a vigneron's variety, impetuous and requiring perfect control. Cabernet Franc, which has always had its place at the Château, is a precious asset in the blend, with its finesse and floral notes.
The Cellar Master of Château Phélan Ségur has the greatest respect for these grapes born from a terroir of eternal nobility. Elegance is his obsession, high standards and integrity, his line of conduct. The grapes are harvested manually with the greatest care and at optimum maturity when nature allows. Its routing to the manual and vibrating sorting tables is done in small crates. The final selection is made by optical sorting used since 2011. The subsequent crushing is delicate. Fermentation takes place over ten days punctuated by pumping over, unballasting or regular punching down, specific to each batch, thus promoting the passage of phenolic compounds into the wine. Then comes the critical phase of maceration for about twenty days, the objective of which is the continuation of the extraction. The wine is tasted daily in order to decide on the optimum run-off date. 39 vats allow this precision vinification and the basis for future selections for blends. The quiet evolution initiated in 2010 has made it possible to add 8 vats of 45 hl to the vat, which further improve the interpretation of the intra-plot work carried out in the vineyard. After pressing and separating free-run and press wines, “entonnage” is carried out; now housed in barrels, they can begin their malolactic fermentation in the warmed atmosphere of the cellars. The wines will gain in suppleness and roundness and will rest all winter. The long assembly work begins at the end of winter and consists of rigorous tasting of each batch; It is at this stage that the selection is made with the invaluable help of Michel Rolland, consultant oenologist. Certain batches are called upon to enter the blend of the Grand Vin of Château Phelan Ségur, others intended for the second wine Frank Phelan, or even for La Croix Bonis.
