Incredible colour in the glass – vivid purple core with a bright pink rim. Smells inviting – creamy strawberry, freshly cut herbs and pink roses. Smooth and supple, excellent construction in the round and filling tannins with a gorgeous chewy aspect to them. Mouthwatering but also slightly sweet strawberry flavours make this so fruity and charming. Soft, sophisticated, refined but really welcoming. Powdery tannins with ripe fruit. This is such assured winemaking with precision and focus. Refined. Succulent, totally moreish. Not massively shouting, despite the texture it retains a cool aspect with a stony grip on the bottom. Lovely. A complete package. One of the best I’ve tasted from this estate. (GH)

The 2025 Phélan Ségur was picked between September 10 and 26 at 29 hl/ha, matured in 55% new oak barrels. Again, this is a Saint-Estèphe that is cut in a more mellow and classical style compared to the 2020 or 2022, for example. Mainly black fruit, the Cabernet-dominated scents of cedar and tobacco emerge within a couple of swirls, with just a light touch of tea leaves in the background. The palate is medium-bodied, with fine-boned tannins matched by a silver thread of acidity. Very well balanced and unequivocally in the more elegant style, without the concentration or voluptuousness of the 2022. This is more sleek and refined, ergo, an earlier-drinking Phélan Ségur that delivers elegance and refinement. Just a lovely Saint-Estèphe that was presumed vanquished by global warming. (NM)

Damson colour, rich gourmet toasted style, this is great quality, plum, damson; black cherry, cocoa bean, hard to argue with. So much floral character, jumping out of the glass, flavourful and easy to recommend. Véronique Dausse is doing an excellent job at this estate, and once again it is showing at the very top of the appellation, holding up against the classified growths. Harvest September 10 to 26, 3.73 pH. 29 hl/ha yield, 55% new oak for ageing.