2016 Château Rauzan-Gassies
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Rauzan Gassies has a little more ripeness than the Dauzac, but clean fruit, blackberry mixed with dates and fig, though any exoticism is kept in check, thankfully. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine grip with touches of dark chocolate and black pepper. Just a touch of coconut is distracting towards the finish but that will be subsumed with time. Hooray—the best Gassies I've tasted in recent years. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Critic scores
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Jancis Robinson MW
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Rauzan-Gassies is delineated and focused on the nose, the new oak neatly subsumed into the vibrant red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins, a little gritty in texture but with a complex earthy, cedar-tinged finish reminiscent of a Pauillac. Fine length here, but it needs time to smooth out its edges. Still, it's the best bottle I have tasted. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.
Tasted blind. Rich and sweet on the nose. A bit tough on the end. (JR)
The 2016 Château Rauzan-Gassies is another terrific Margaux that has the classic elegance and purity of the vintage front and center. Its medium ruby color is followed by complex spring flowers, bay leaf, mint, and black raspberries. It’s medium-bodied, has a silky, elegant texture, fine tannins, and is undeniably a beautiful wine. Drink it over the coming 15-20 years.
About the producer
The Quié family purchased Pauillac Fifth Growth Ch. Croizet-Bages in 1942, adding Rauzan-Gassies four years later. Once part of the same estate as the neighbouring Rauzan-Ségla, this Margaux property was split off in time for the 1855 Classification, earning Second Growth status.