Professional reviews
Robert Parker (89)
The finest Phelan-Segur since the 1990, the 2005 offers up scents of charcoal, creme de cassis, blueberries, and white flowers. With lovely fruit, abundant fat and richness, medium to full body, and moderately high but sweet tannin, it should drink well for 15 or more years.
Winespectator ()
Jancis Robinson (17)
Sweet fruit and fine tannins. Luscious and sinewy. Bit of a ballet dancer. Dry finish in a St-Estèphe sort of way. Reverberant finish. Refined and appetising. Bravo! (JR)
Rene Gabriel (18)
Rene Gabriel rates this wine 18/20 points.
BOW (8)
Falstaff (91)
Deep dark ruby garnet, almost black core, youthful reflections, intense roasted aromas on the nose, delicate caramel. Delicate mocha, with good dark berry fruit underneath. Juicy, sweet on the palate, some nougat, delicate vegetal tannins, good length, has power and charm, sticks well, has good development potential. - BEST BUY
Wine Enthusiast (91)
A spicy, smoky, wood-dominated wine, which loses its fruit in all these exotic flavors. There is a dark core that will round out and spread the fruit through what should be an impressive wine.
Owen Bargreen (93)
Admittedly this is the first time in several years that I have sampled the 2005 Chateau Phelan-Segur and it remains every bit as good as the last time I tasted this awesome wine. Needing an hour in the decanter to fully evolve, this has a classic left bank nose with red bell pepper and anise that collide with the core of dark currants, graphite and loamy terroir on this gorgeous bouquet. The palate is silky smooth with great verve and freshness. A light dusting of salinity melds with the ripe core of dark fruits, with chocolate and tobacco leaf tones on the palate.
