Phélan Ségur St-Estèphe 2005

94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2005 Château Phelan Segur is a beauty, and certainly shows the quality and potential of this terrific terroir. Based on 50% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon (the Petit Verdot wasn’t included in the blend until 2020), its ruby/plum hue is followed by terrific aromatics of blackcurrants, roasted herbs, tobacco, and spicy, leathery, subtle earthy nuances. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, textured, beautifully balanced, and with elegant tannins, drink this brilliant Saint-Estephe over the coming 10-15 years. Drink: 2024-2039. (4/6/24)"

94 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2005 Phelan Segur is made from 50% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-brick colored, it needs a bit of swirling to unlock fragrant notes of rose oil, star anise, and fertile loam, leading to a core of preserved plums, dried blackberries, and warm cassis with a touch of graphite. The medium-bodied palate shimmers with energetic black fruits and floral accents, framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long and mineral-laced. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink 2022-2037. (10/5/22)"

93 points (16.5/20) La Revue du Vin de France (2007).

91 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2005 vintage of Château Phélan-Ségur is one of the finest I have ever tasted from this property, and this has to be one of the great sleepers of the vintage. The bouquet is deep, pure and complex, offering up scents of sappy black cherries, sweet cassis, cigar smoke, a fine base of dark soil, incipient notes of truffles and a nice touch of nutty new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and nicely structured, with a really solid core of fruit, fine focus and grip, firm, but well-integrated tannins and a long, quite serious finish. This is punching above its weight class in 2005! 2020-2045. (Sep/Oct 2020)"

91 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Espresso bean, stone, cassis, truffle make up the perfume. Round in texture, with spicy cassis and chocolate, fleshy and fresh for Phelan Segur, this delicious vintage of Phelan Segur already offers a lot early drinking charm. (May 2012)"

91 points Wine Enthusiast: "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. (Jun 2008)"

91 points Falstaff: "Deep dark ruby garnet, almost black core, youthful reflections, intense roasted aromas on the nose, delicate caramel. Delicate mocha notes, with good dark berry fruit underneath. Juicy on the palate, sweet, some nougat, delicate vegetal tannins, good length, has power and charm, lingers well, has good development potential. - BEST BUY (5/5/06)"