Château Rauzan-Ségla 2017

Inviting, with seductive damson plum, red currant, blackberry and black cherry purée flavors layered together, stitched with dried anise, sandalwood and black tea threads. Very fine acidity flows underneath, carrying this through a suave and lengthy finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2022 through 2035.

Cinnamon, saffron, black truffles, toasted oak, cedar and damson; this is definitely a pretty sexy take on the vintage. No doubt the extraction had to be extremely carefully handled to get here, and they have done a good job with it. Feels like it has taken on weight during ageing without going too far.

There’s a very balanced feel to this wine with ripe blueberries and red plums, as well as dried flowers. The palate has a supple, smooth build of rich blueberry and cassis flavor and a long, fine-tannin finish. A blend of 62% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot and 2% petit verdot. Drink or hold.

The 2017 Rauzan-Ségla was bottled at the end of May 2019, according to winemaker Nicolas Audebert. It has a broodier nose than expected, perhaps a touch closed after bottling, but there is certainly ample blackberry and raspberry fruit, subtle pressed violet, and a hint of shucked oyster shell emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied, with supple tannins threaded by a fine line of acidity. It feels rounded and velvety in texture, quite persistent on the palate, with a caressing finish that perhaps doesn’t quite deliver the complexity or definition of a truly top growing season. Otherwise, plainly speaking, bloody delicious.

One of the top wines of the appellation, this gorgeous, soft, polished, silky, fresh charmer comes with loads of ripe, lush, sweet fruit. The entry is soft, clean, and fresh. The mid-palate and finish leave the impression of ripe, dark red and black, elegantly styled fruits. This could take at least a decade before it starts showing its best.

Deep dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening, red cherry fruit with delicate vegetal undertones, floral nuances, restrained bouquet. Medium body, red berry texture, delicate tannins, fresh acidity, lemony-mineral finish, drinkable soon.

Kunz Barrel Sample 18: closed, deep, finely mineral bouquet, blackberries, blueberries, tobacco, delicate licorice, vanilla powder. Densely interwoven, elegant, classic palate with delicate fruit, plenty of fine tannin, diverse, compressed aromatics, finely muscular, elegant structure, long, fresh finish. (18/20). 21: René Gabriel: medium ruby-garnet. Cherry-like, directly fruity bouquet, a hint of grenadine and vanillin. Juicy, elegant palate. The tannins already feel silky and the wine shows very good length. A Burgundian-style variant and, in this vintage, it’s not the only one. Very cleanly vinified and soon ready to enjoy. At the moment, it pleases more than the 2016. (18/20).

Fresh, fruity, subtly floral and powerful bouquet, blueberries, cherries, currants, nougat, delicate roasted notes, slate, fresh herbs. Delicate, elegant, fresh palate with intense, refined fruit, creamy texture, complex aromatics, fine minerality, long, fresh finish. 18/20 2025 - 2048

A little less concentrated than the vintages on either side, with sculpted black fruits and floral character, red pepper spice, black truffles, grilled damson and smoked earth. Enjoyable, well balanced. Plenty of estate signature, but no need to wait as long as the more exuberant years. 40 hl/ha yield, 60% new oak, harvest September 12 to October 2. Nicolas Audbert director, Eric Boissenot consultant.

A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Rauzan-Segla is medium to deep garnet in color. It waltzes out, with up-front notes of raspberry preserves, redcurrant jelly, and mulberries, opening out to hints of tobacco leaf, dried Provencal herbs, and mossy tree bark. The delicately crafted, medium-bodied palate is light on its feet and refreshing, featuring wonderfully silky tannins and a mineral lift on the long finish.

Only one bottle, and unfortunately a very poor cork. The wine shows none of its usual characteristics.

Absolutely superb, the 2017 shows a sumptuous balance—very fine, fresh, yet also enveloped—unveiling abundant fruit notes and a juicy, tangy finish.

Juicy, fruity wine with lively acidity, good chew, supple tannins, and a long finish.

Dark, intense, and beautiful color. Very fine, highly aromatic nose with ripe fruit. Delicate on the attack, very well built mid-palate, silky and fragrant, the wine unfolds smoothly with brightness of flavor and good length. It’s very good!

This is a powerful, dense wine. Tannins come through strongly as does the dynamic black fruit. Likely to develop slowly, the wine's concentration is impressive. Drink from 2024.