2015 Château Rauzan-Gassies
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Intense and curranty and lively. Dry but not too dry finish. Pretty persistent. Stood up well to its peers – or at least to less-exalted Margauxs – in this vintage. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Rauzan Gassies is powerful and rather rustic, with potent tannins that convey and impression of rusticity. Smoke, grilled herbs, licorice, scorched earth and wild cherry notes add to the wines brooding, virile personality. The 2015 could turn out to be a small jewel of a wine if it softens a bit with time in bottle. The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot.
One of the more structured wines in the vintage is the 2015 Chateau Rauzan-Gassies. Deep ruby/purple colored with a fabulous bouquet of currants, charcoal, black cherries and crushed rocks, it is a full-bodied, incredibly pure, concentrated Margaux that has integrated tannin and a focused, chiseled feel. Forget bottles for 5-6 years and it should reward for upwards of two decades.
Deep lustrous crimson. A hint of oak but some real energy here too! Sort of fleshy and bumped up rather than beautiful. But this is a very good Rauzan-Gassies! It has really taken on flesh. Lots to chew on. A bit gritty rather than mellifluous but not bad at all. (JR)
About the producer
The Quié family purchased Pauillac Fifth Growth Ch. Croizet-Bages in 1942, adding Rauzan-Gassies four years later. Once part of the same estate as the neighbouring Rauzan-Ségla, this Margaux property was split off in time for the 1855 Classification, earning Second Growth status.