Château Rauzan-Ségla 1996

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Rauzan-Ségla 1996

Tasting

Nose
The bouquet reveals a beautiful aromatic complexity where notes of spices, dried herbs, and cedar mingle.

Palate
In the mouth, this wine reveals a beautiful balance between structure and elegance. There is a beautiful roundness, supported by a very nice freshness.

Food and wine pairings

This Château Rauzan-Ségla 1996 will pair perfectly with characterful dishes such as a beef fillet with porcini mushrooms, a rack of lamb with Provencal herbs, or a platter of mature cheeses.

A great Margaux magnified by time

The property

In the heart of the prestigious Margaux vineyard, the Château Rauzan-Ségla has been a major reference for the appellation for more than three centuries. Classified Second Grand Cru in 1855, it embodies the elegance and finesse typical of the great wines of Margaux. This jewel of the left bank seduces with its exceptional terroir, where the diversity of soils gives the wines a unique structure, combining delicacy, aromatic intensity, and great aging potential. Today carried by the Chanel House, Rauzan-Ségla brilliantly combines Bordeaux heritage and contemporary excellence.

The vineyard

What makes Rauzan-Ségla unique is the exceptional richness of its terroir in Margaux. A true signature of the estate, this geological mosaic is divided into three major families of soils, each contributing to the complexity of the wines. Among them, the clay-limestone soils stand out particularly: their composition gives the wines intensity, structure, and volume, constituting the backbone of the blends.

The vintage

The year 1996 was marked by a mild and wet winter, followed by a favorable spring allowing flowering under good conditions at the end of May. The summer began with hot months of June and July, promoting a rapid and early veraison, before experiencing more moderate temperatures in August. September was distinguished by particularly cool temperatures, leading to a slow but steady maturation of the grapes until the harvest, which took place from September 26 to October 6.

Vinification and aging

For this Château Rauzan-Ségla 1996, the alcoholic fermentation took place in thermo-regulated stainless steel tanks for 8 days. Maceration lasted between 18 and 28 days for the cabernet sauvignon and between 18 and 24 days for the merlot. Malolactic fermentation was mainly carried out in tanks, with some batches in barrels. The aging continued for 18 months in French oak barrels, 70% of which were new.

Grape varieties

This wine is made from a traditional blend dominated by the cabernet sauvignon.