Phelan Segur was established when two previous Bordeaux vineyards, Clos de Garramey and Segur de Cabanac, were combined by Bernard Phelan in around 1810. Bernard died in 1841 and Frank Phelan took over the estate. By 1860, he had created the largest vineyard in the entire Saint Estephe appellation. The name of the winery was originally Chateau Segur de Garramey but its name was changed to Phelan Segur at the beginning of the 20th century.
The estate was purchased by the Delon Family (Leoville Las Cases) in 1946 and then sold to Xavier Gardinier (former head of Pommery) in 1985. It was sold to Philippe Van de Vyvere, owner of one of the world’s largest shipping companies in 2017 for $90 million euros, which was a record for a Crus Bourgeois winery.
The winery has about 70 hectare of vineyard planted to 58% Cabernet Sauvignon and 39% Merlot, 1.5% Cabernet Franc and 1.5% Petit Verdot. The vineyard has a terroir of gravel, sand, and clay-based soils. Most of the vineyards are situation near Chateau Montrose and Calon Segur.
Chateau Phelan Segur underwent extensive renovations in their wine-making facilities and cellars that were completed in 2011. Malolactic fermentation takes place in 50%, new, French oak barrels and the wine is aged in about 50% new, French oak barrels for 16 to 18 months.
Phelan Segur now uses French oak barrels that have lighter toasting, which decreases the strong, smoke or espresso notes in the wine when it’s young. Beginning around 2017 vintage, the started to use Caberne Franc in the wine’s blend and in the 2020 vintage, they added Petit Verdot to the blend for the first wine.
Around 20,000 cases of Phelan Segur is produced each year. The blend of the 2010 vintage was 51% Cabernet Sauvignon 49% Merlot.
For more information about the winery, please visit their website at