The highly anticipated Château Phélan Ségur 2023 has been unveiled as part of this year’s Bordeaux En Primeur campaign, hitting the market at GBP 370 (EUR 435) per 12×75.
This wine release marks a 17.8% decrease from the 2022’s opening price of GBP 450 (EUR 528) per case, offering a more attractive entry point for collectors and enthusiasts.
Jane Anson praised the 2023 vintage, awarding it a remarkable 95 points and declaring it "the best Phélan Ségur I have tasted En Primeur."
Critical Acclaim
The 2023 vintage has garnered significant acclaim from critics, who highlight its complexity and balance:
- William Kelley (The Wine Advocate): Kelley noted the wine’s "aromas of cassis, dark berries, licorice, and toasty new oak," awarding it a barrel score of 91-93 points.
- Jane Anson gave a glowing review, scoring the wine 95 points and describing it as "sculpted and impressively confident."
- Neal Martin (Vinous) praised the balance of the wine, rating it 92-94 points and noting it wasn’t overly concentrated.
- James Lawther MW (Jancis Robinson) awarded 17/20 points, suggesting the wine is "worth a punt if the price is right."
- Antonio Galloni (Vinous) described the wine as "powerful, brooding," with a score of 92-94 points, mentioning notes of "black cherry, plum, gravel, incense, licorice, dried herbs, lavender, and mocha."
- Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (The Wine Independent) provided a score of 92-94 points, highlighting scents of "crushed blackcurrants, fresh blackberries, and Morello cherries," along with "dried Provence herbs, black pepper, and graphite."
Pricing Insights and Value Considerations
Released at EUR 31.2 per bottle ex-négociant, the 2023 vintage is priced 16.1% lower than the 2022 release (EUR 37.20). Despite the price reduction, the 2023 vintage is still among the more expensive ones currently on the market. Buyers seeking value might find better opportunities in the 2019 and 2020 vintages, which offer high quality at relatively lower prices.
- 2019 Vintage: Available at a Market Price of GBP 367 (EUR 431), the 2019 vintage offers a slight discount compared to the 2023 release. It received 95 points from Neal Martin and 96 points from Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, making it a strong candidate for value-conscious buyers.
- 2020 Vintage: With a Market Price 14.6% lower than the 2023 release, the 2020 vintage is another attractive option. Neal Martin awarded it 94 points, reinforcing its appeal as a high-quality yet reasonably priced alternative.
Conclusion
The Château Phélan Ségur 2023 stands out in this year’s Bordeaux En Primeur campaign, not only for its critical acclaim but also for its more accessible pricing compared to the previous year. However, value seekers may want to explore the highly rated 2019 and 2020 vintages, which present excellent alternatives in terms of both quality and price. As the wine market continues to evolve, Château Phélan Ségur remains a noteworthy player, offering wines that appeal to both collectors and connoisseurs alike.
Source: Liv-ex