Château Rauzan-Ségla 2014

Exquisitely crafted, dense, fresh, juicy, long, with stunning stylistic fidelity: truly top class.

The 2014 Rauzan-Ségla has a very pure, mineral-driven bouquet that could almost be from the Côte de Nuits! This is as refined as you will discover in Margaux. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, caressing and smooth in texture with well-judged acidity and fanning out with crushed strawberry, Morello and a touch of orange rind on the finish. It is not patch on the 2015 for sure, but it is a worthy forerunner.

This has a lightly firm singed alder frame, which works well with the core of dark currant and plum fruit, melding easily with a velvety back end that lets alluring black tea and anise notes emerge steadily. A bit flashy in style, but will certainly have fans. Best from 2019 through 2029. 9,167 cases made.

At first quite buzzy, but the initial bright fruit settles very quickly, revealing a mineral, chalky feel on the tongue and cheeks. Not powdery as such, but clearly mineral, graphite, liquorice and wet stones. Definitely missing some more fruit density here. Tannins are nice, it feels elegant, and it's certainly not hollow, but it loses the tang and the flavor fades quite quickly.

Fantastic aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants and strawberries follow through to a full body, super-integrated tannins and an extremely long finish. The bright acidity gives the wine a linear edge that focuses in all the fruit. Minerally. Drink in 2021.

56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Tasted blind. Only mid crimson. So much lighter and more lifted than the Pauillacs, St-Juliens and St-Estèphes! Light and almost green. Distinctively racy and refreshing. (JR)

Truffle, cherry pipe tobacco and earthy scents are right out in front. Medium-bodied, soft, energetic and feminine, give the wine 5–7 years to gain more dimension and flesh.

The 2014 Rauzan-Ségla is another classic Margaux that shines for its elegance and complexity, the hallmarks of this beautiful estate. Ample black and blue fruits, cedarwood, and spice notes all emerge from the glass, followed by medium to full body, a beautiful texture, polished, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It’s unquestionably enjoyable today, but it will benefit from a handful of years in the cellar and keep for 20-25 years.

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with violet hues at the rim. Floral spice, black cherries, elderberry and light tobacco, medium intensity on the attack. On the palate, finely textured, well laid out, with wonderfully ripe tannins. As always, not a primeur crowd-pleaser, but equipped with a fine Grand Cru life insurance.

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with a violet rim. Floral spice, black cherries, elderberry and light tobacco, medium pressure on the attack. On the palate, finely textured and well laid out, with wonderfully ripe tannins. As always, not a primeur blender, but endowed with a fine Grand Cru life insurance. (18/20). 21: magnum. Brightening ruby with a purple sheen. Floral opening that, after a few minutes, blends with red and blue fruit. A hint of blueberry and dark noble woods, finely spiced with medium depth. Long, well-structured palate; the tannins create a demanding astringency and give it a masculine touch. Feels a bit sinewy, showing as much bone as flesh. So, a T-bone Margaux. For the moment, it doesn’t quite deserve its former barrel score. But it’s on a good path to regain it. If it does, it will be a Bordeaux classic. Current score: 17/20.

Silky, elegant, fresh, classic bouquet: cherries, currants, blueberries, balsa wood, nougat. Elegant, dense, refined palate with fresh, sweet fruit, fine tannins, elegant structure, fresh aromatics, long, powerful, finely bitter finish. 18/20 2022 - 2045

High rose petal count on the aromatics of this Rauzan-Ségla, and it is just peering over into its ageing window, gathering up its generous raspberry and cassis fruits, with touches of creme caramel. Love the flexibilty of the tannins as they soften into their second decade, with delicious peony and violet character, excellent. 60% new oak, 37hl/ha yield, harvest September 22 to October 16. Last year with John Kolasa as director.

A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2014 Rauzan-Segla has a deep garnet color. It springs from the glass with maturing tertiary notes of cigar box, new leather, and incense, giving way to a core of blackcurrant jelly, plum preserves, and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, the palate is laden with dried black fruit and exotic spice layers, supported by invigorating tension and velvety tannins, finishing with a minty lift.

Noble notes of cedar, deep color, remarkable power, firm tannins, great future.

Subtle and delicate, this very classic margaux shows beautiful balance and great finesse in the velvety texture of its tannins.

A joyful bouquet of small summer berries and garden flowers (wallflowers and tulips), followed by a harmonious palate where texture and flavors walk hand in hand, delivering a sense of fullness and balance. Delicate yet firm, confident in its beauty, with a sappy, savory, and serious touch on the finish.

Refreshing notes of garrigue followed by inviting nuances of dark chocolate on the bouquet. Precise and fruity, the wine is elegant, harmonious, powerful and already approachable. An inviting, convincing and persistent Rauzan-Ségla. The freshness returns on the finish. The latter is ideally elongated by the structure, which also champions the aromatic expression.

Dark, intense color with slight evolution. Very aromatic nose, with ripe fruit that’s purer than ever. A hint of menthol. Caressing on the attack, suave at mid-palate, the wine unfolds on a taut, elegant frame. It finishes long, a touch austere, yet very flavorful. Blend: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Bottle opened three hours in advance, with one small glass removed.

This is a full-bodied wine, from one of the leading estates in Margaux. It is ripe with juicy blackberry and black-currant fruits. This fruit contrasts with the dark tannins and powerful structure. It is going to develop slowly and impressively to be ready to drink from 2025.