# Frank Phélan (2019)

- **Producer:** Château Phélan Ségur
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
- **Region:** Bordeaux, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €35
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar, red plum, black cherry, cloves, chocolate, vanilla, leather, tobacco, earth

## About this wine

Frank Phélan is the second wine of Château Phélan Ségur, a Cru Bourgeois estate in Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux. The wine is named after Frank Phélan, who expanded the estate founded by his father, Bernard Phélan, an Irishman who settled in the region in the early 19th century. The estate's terroir consists of clay-gravel soils on a limestone base, with vines averaging 35 years old. Frank Phélan is noted for offering an accessible yet complex expression of the estate's character, distinguishing itself as a leading second wine from Saint-Estèphe.

## Interesting facts

- Named after Frank Phélan, who significantly developed the estate.
- Château Phélan Ségur is often considered an honorary Cru Classé.
- The estate has an average vine age of 35 years.
- Frank Phélan is recognized as one of Saint-Estèphe's top second wines.

## Food pairing

The wine's structure, with its polished tannins and balanced acidity, makes it a versatile partner for protein-rich dishes. The tannins bind with proteins in the meat, softening the wine and enhancing the savory flavors. Its fruit notes can complement richer sauces and earthy ingredients.

## Wine making process

Frank Phélan is produced using traditional winemaking methods. The grapes are harvested manually, followed by a meticulous vinification process. The wine then undergoes aging for 14 months in oak barrels, with 55% being new French oak. This approach aims to capture the essence of the Saint-Estèphe terroir and the characteristics of the vintage.