Château Rauzan-Ségla 2012

Through maturation it has gained even more depth and density without losing digestibility or fruitiness, showing great class and endless length. One of the most impressive wines of the appellation (and one of the last vintages from John Kolassa, the managing director of the estates, who is retiring this year).

A toasty, fleshy style, with a cocoa note pulling and pushing the core of blackberry, black currant and plum fruit. Picks up more range through the finish, with black tea, alder and loam accents, boding well for cellaring. Best from 2016 through 2024. 8,750 cases made.

Intense bouquet of small, flavoursome red fruit and a precise—quite tight—palate that will benefit from further ageing. Perhaps a little austere, but true; reflects the quality of the terroir.

A full and silky wine with a slightly hollow center palate for now, but it’s very pretty and chewy. It needs two or three years to soften. Very persistent and structured.

Right off the bat, the floral-inspired, attention-seeking perfume gets you. Medium-bodied, quite vibrant, fresh, and straightforward on the palate, the bright red berries, touch of herbs, and crispness provide a classic Margaux tasting experience. Drink from 2022-2045.

Elegant and stylish with a classic structure and bright dark fruit, tobacco, leather, fine persistence, medium weight but good fruit density, pure and long finish, elegant style.

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with a lilac shimmer at the rim. 2012 was a cool summer, hence only a small production. On the nose, the roasted notes are a bit more bourgeois; behind them emerges a delicate, light-footed Margaux. On the palate, much less concentrated but with a silky texture, incredibly juicy and meaty, well balanced, and quite charming for the vintage. 17.5/20

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with lilac highlights on the rim. The bouquet opens with toasty notes, black bread crust, then some blackberry and blackcurrant, showing fine depth. On the palate it is creamy, elevated and conveys complete harmony, with very balanced astringency; the finish is still subtly peppery, which also gives it some breed. For the third time in a row, the same rating. Rauzan-Ségla is back in full form!

Closed, deep, elegant bouquet, red and blue berries, vanilla, tobacco, red currant. Balanced, silky, fresh palate with fine fruit, good tannins, powerful, slightly bitter aromatics, classic structure, long finish. Still has room to improve. 17/20 2020 - 2036

Inky purple in colour, deep and concentrated; on the palate this is full of cocoa bean, chocolate shavings, and rich, concentrated damson and plum fruit. Impressive, still young with the barest hint of tertiary flavours, it remains gourmet and succulent. I would give two to three hours in a decanter before drinking if approaching any time soon, and it will age further. John Kolasa, director.

A blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2012 Rauzan-Segla has a deep garnet color, with a touch of brick. It opens with maturing scents of fruitcake, new leather, iron ore, and unsmoked cigars, opening out to a core of prunes and anise, with a touch of oolong tea. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and lightly chewy, with delicate tertiary flavors and minerally accents, finishing on a lingering, fragrant earth note.

Superb tasting; this bottle is among the raciest of the vintage, with very precise floral and spicy notes, fine tannins, and the length and complexity of a great terroir.

Very open and charming, with a texture that is both dense and well-tamed. Admirable length.

The color is dark, with aromas of blackberry and spices on the nose. The palate is dense, tight, tannic, yet well-wrapped, the overall impression is fresh, with lovely density. 54.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 1.5% Petit Verdot.

Fruity wine. Notes of mint and graphite. Lovely minerality and plenty of fruit. On the palate, the wine is pleasant and indulgent. A body of good intensity, balanced and fruity, with tannins capable of matching the structure. Elegant, fruity finish. A wine to watch with solid potential.

Lovely deep dark red, slightly evolved. Very aromatic nose, with ripe fruit and a subtle minty note. The palate is soft and very fruity, delivering flavor and an upward profile, well supported by attractive oak on the finish, never overdone. A very pleasant and very good wine. Final blend: 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. This bottle was prepared as follows: one glass of wine removed three hours in advance.