Frank Phelan Saint-Estephe 2020

Frank Phélan Saint-Estèphe 2020 is the characterful second wine of Château Phélan Ségur, offering a polished taste of this estate’s famous terroir at a more approachable price and in a more youthful style. Crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, it captures the signature depth and structure of Saint-Estèphe while remaining supple and inviting even in its early years. Named after the founder’s son, Frank Phélan continues a tradition that goes back over two centuries, blending Irish heritage with classic Bordeaux savoir-faire.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Frank Phélan 2020 shows a deep, vibrant ruby-purple hue, hinting at both concentration and youth. The nose opens with blackcurrant, blackberry and ripe plum, layered with notes of cedar, graphite and a touch of violet, followed by subtle hints of tobacco leaf, cocoa and sweet spices from careful oak aging. On the palate, this Saint-Estèphe is medium to full-bodied, with a core of dark fruit—cassis, black cherry and mulberry—wrapped in fine, chalky tannins. The Cabernet lends structure and freshness, while Merlot brings roundness and flesh, giving the wine a harmonious, modern Left Bank profile. There is a savory, mineral edge characteristic of Saint-Estèphe, and the finish is long, precise and gently spicy. While already enjoyable with some aeration, the 2020 has the balance and backbone to evolve gracefully over the next 8–12 years, gaining complexity and softer textures with time in bottle.

Production
Frank Phélan is sourced from the gravel, clay and limestone terraces of Saint-Estèphe, overlooking the Gironde estuary—soils that naturally favor Cabernet Sauvignon and produce wines of power and tension. The vines are sustainably farmed and harvested parcel by parcel, typically picked by hand to ensure optimal ripeness and careful selection of bunches. In the cellar, the grapes are sorted, destemmed and vinified in temperature-controlled vats, with gentle extraction to capture ripe fruit and fine tannins rather than harshness. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels (often with a lower proportion of new oak than the grand vin), allowing it to gain complexity and texture while preserving freshness and drinkability in its youth.

Food & Serving
Frank Phélan 2020 is a classic partner for rich, savory dishes such as grilled or roasted lamb, ribeye steak, duck breast, beef stew or braised short ribs. It also shines alongside roast chicken with herbs, mushroom-based dishes, charcuterie, and hard or semi-hard cheeses like Comté, aged Gouda or Mimolette. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for the best expression of fruit and aromatics. Young vintages benefit from 1–2 hours in a decanter to soften the tannins and open up the nose; as the wine ages, a shorter decant mainly for sediment management will be sufficient.

Producer
Château Phélan Ségur was founded in the early 19th century by Irishman Bernard O’Phelan, who settled in Bordeaux and gradually assembled one of Saint-Estèphe’s most respected estates. Over more than 200 years, four families have successively shaped the property, all sharing a commitment to expressing the character of this northern Médoc terroir through meticulous vineyard work and thoughtful innovation. After over three decades of stewardship by the Gardinier family, the château entered a new chapter under Philippe Van de Vyvere, a passionate wine lover dedicated to further elevating its reputation. Today, Château Phélan Ségur is widely recognized as one of Saint-Estèphe’s benchmark properties, consistently producing wines that combine depth, elegance and age-worthiness, with Frank Phélan serving as a refined and accessible introduction to the house style.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.