Winemaker Notes
St. Estephe is perhaps the best place among the great Bordeaux communes to search for real bargains. There is more clay in the soil here, so Merlot is more prevalent than elsewhere in the Medoc. The Merlot gives wines that are softer, rounder, plummier and more approachable in their youth. Frank Phelan is the second label of Phelan Segur.
In most of France, wines are named by their place of origin and not by the type of grape (with the exception of Alsace). Just like a red Burgundy is by law, always made of Pinot noir, a red Bordeaux is a blended wine composed mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Depending on the laws of the village from which the grapes come, the conditions of the vintage and decisions of the winemaker, the blend can be further supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and in rare cases, Carmenere. So popular and repeated has this mix of grape varieties become worldwide, that the term, Bordeaux Blend, refers to a wine blended in this style, regardless of origin.