Château Rauzan-Gassies 2014

Very expressive already, with a blast of dark plum, boysenberry and black currant preserves, backed by dried anise, black tea and cocoa notes on the finish. Exuberant, and should be early-maturing. Drink now through 2022. 6,665 cases made.

Fine, fragrant cassis nose and good concentration of fruit on the palate. The finish is a bit green, but the Margaux quality is there, with sophistication to come.

Dark crimson. A little bit smokily reductive at first, with a dusty/graphite quality covering the fruit. The fruit is more obvious on the palate, deep and softly chewy even though the tannins are compact on the finish. Firm, not very expressive but all in place. (JH)

The 2014 Rauzan Gassies is an attractive, supple wine. Sweet floral, underbrush and leather notes add nuance to the bright red-toned fruit. A hint of gaminess gives the wine its slightly rustic feel, but the tannins have softened a bit. My impression is that there is considerable potential at this property that has yet to be fully realized. The 2014 is certainly a very good wine, but it could have been more than that. Tasted two times.

The focus is on bright, crisp red fruits. This medium-bodied, lighter, fresh style of Margaux will be best in its youth. 86-88 pts

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with violet glints at the rim. The nose shows more floral than fruity notes and also comes across as somewhat reductive. On the palate it’s meaty, strict, and the tannins carry a certain dryness. Quite grand, but absolutely devoid of charm.

Slender, red-berried bouquet, wood, cherries, chalk. Light palate with a delicate green note, sandy tannins, light fruit, angular structure, dry finish. 16/20 2019 - 2028

Tender and very airy, this infused wine is charming and already approachable. We would, however, like a bit more body...

Green bell pepper aromas dominate an otherwise well-made whole, and the wine has honest density, but it is marred by a finish that is unfortunately too vegetal.

Dark, intense, and beautiful color. Ripe-style fruity nose. A soft, fruity, flavorful palate, still with a touch of liveliness on the finish. Medium body and length.

The improvements at this estate continue with this bright and fruity wine. It is structured with some firm tannins under the attractive blackberry flavors. Crisp and likely to develop well over the medium term, the wine will be ready from 2020.

The 2014 Rauzan-Gassies has a light grassy bouquet, plenty of undergrowth aromas as usual, though missing the fruit of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannin on the entry, a little angular in the mouth with some hardness on the finish. It is a frustrating wine, grasping for quality but not quite getting there. Tasted twice with consistent notes.

Strong return after a difficult 2013: expect layers of fragrant spice and blackberry fruit, with a savoury, refined profile and plenty of pleasure. It shows true appellation typicity with its rose and iris notes. It’s in its drinking window, yet still has time ahead—lovely quality. Aged with 50% new oak; consultant: Eric Boissenot; owners: the Quié family.