2016 Château Rauzan-Ségla
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Rauzan-Ségla has a more earthy bouquet, with blackberry, autumn leaves, gravel and iris flower scents that gradually unfurl in the glass. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied, with sappy black fruit, refined and focused, quite sensual and cohesive. There is beguiling elegance on the finish, though it is quite backward, which explains why my score is just a touch below the previous appraisal. Still, it is one of the finest creations at the estate for many years. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
This shows aromas of graphite, black currants and subtle dried flowers. Concentrated and refined, with seamless tannins that are well integrated and broad, enveloping fruit. This is harmonious and balanced. This can be drunk now but will definitely continue to evolve. Drink or hold. 10 Years On retrospective.
Silky fine but firm tannins, great lift on the finish, austere in all the right places, plenty of life ahead, great quality, pomegranate and black cherry fruit laced with cigar box and graphite. 45hl/h yield, 60% new oak, harvest September 20 to October 15, from clay-gravel plots on Terrace 4. Nicolas Audbert in his 2nd vintage as director.
Structured and elegant, this starts slowly, and is clearly still young at this point, with firm tannins giving a slow-release to the blackberry and cassis fruits, laced with mint, black tea, cumin and liqourice. Getting even better as it ages, this has decades ahead of it. This first wine comes almost entirely from plots on Terrace 4, a wide, clay-rich strip of gravel. 3/6ph, 45hl/h yield, 60% new oak, harvest September 20 to October 15. Nicolas Audbert director.
About the producer
The Chanel group purchased Margaux Second Growth Ch. Rauzan-Ségla in 1994. Under the iconic fashion house’s ownership and – since 2014 – the guidance of winemaker Nicolas Audebert, the estate has seen significant investment and rapidly become one of Bordeaux’s most desirable.