Château Phélan Ségur, St Estèphe,

This was a big surprise for us. Normally we find Phelan Segur a bit rustic and joyless; the 2018 was sensational. Big and ambitious but it works. Lots of dark, rich, creamy fruit, notes of fruitcake, blackcurrants, dense big tannins coated with minerals, graphite, flowers, really impressive structure. Enough weight to carry the tannins, and they seem more refined and fruit laced than normal. Voluptuous and very appealing. The best Phelan we can ever remember.