St. Estephe

Region: France, Bordeaux, Saint Estephe

Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot 

Tasting notes: Dark inky purple core and hue. Fine purity, intense with violet scented dark fruit, wild berries, cassis and tobacco leaf. Fine density of fruit on the palate, layered with finely tuned tannins and good oak integration. Fresh and digest with a long and pure finish.

Tasting notes: Velvety, fresh and fruity, the wine charms from the outset while already showing the structure of a Grand Vin. Its attractive mineral character gives it smoothness, and it expresses the richness of its terroir with great delicacy.

Reviews: Wine Advocate-Parker: The 2014 Les Pagodes de Cos, now in bottle, seems to be wasting no time in appeasing those who like to drink their Bordeaux young. (And why not? This is a deuxième vin after all.) The nose is open and generous with blackberry fruit tinged with dark chocolate and a touch of mint, the graphite element not evident here as it was in barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, very well-judged acidity and very fine focus. Like the Grand Vin, this is not an exotic or flamboyant Cos d'Estournel, but no way would you describe it as lean. There is an easy-drinking approachable nature to this Les Pagodes de Cos, without precluding it of precision and length, whilst the graphite note pops up right at the finish and on the aftertaste. This delightful wine should be drinking from 2018 and over the next decade. Tasted February 2017.

Region: France, Bordeaux, Saint Estephe

Tasting notes: Fine and elegant full-bodied wine with a nose marked by aromas of fresh black fruit. Its structure is harmonious, despite its young age, with aromas of blackcurrant and black cherry typical of the Merlot varietal; along with toasted notes. Beautiful aromatic persistence.

Region: France, Bordeaux, Saint Estephe

Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Background: Chateau Phelan Segur is located in the eastern part of Saint-Estephe in Bordeaux. The chateau lies on gravelly alluvial soils that were deposited 650,000 years ago. Xavier Gardinier and his three sons now look after the 70-hectare estate. It is planted with 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot which have an average age of 35 years.

Winemaking process: During the harvest, the grapes are hand-picked and screened then aged in half new barrels for between 14 and 18 months.

Tasting notes: It shows attractive red fruits with good balance, ripe tannins and attractive freshness. Accessible and flavoursome.