2015 Château Rauzan-Ségla

The 2015 Rauzan-Ségla has so much freshness and vitality on the nose, with raspberry, cranberry and the crushed violet and iris flower aromas that define it as Margaux. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins matched with a pinpoint bead of acidity. There is elegance from the start, with impressive weight and length, remaining sapid with a hint of graphite on the finish. A marvelous Rauzan-Ségla that probably represents one of the best values on the Left Bank.

Rauzan Ségla fully in its stride, fragrant peony and crushed rose petals that expand through the palate, just such a great expression of Cabernet at the 10 year point, coupled with a Margaux appellation signature, when the muscles and tannins turn toned and finessed, and the cassis fruit and raspberry leaf remain fragrant and juicy. Love it. 65% new oak, harvest September 10 to October 9, Nicolas Audebert just arrived from Cheval des Andes in this vintage.

Packed full of blackberry, redcurrant, creme de cassis, chocolate shavings, slate, tar, supple yet muscular texture to the tannins, this tugs you back in, taking its time as it slowly unrolls. Great stuff, still a little subdued aromatically but has the texture and the grip to ensure decades of life. 65% new oak, 40hl/h yield, harvest September 10 to October 9. First year with Nicolas Audebert as director, taking over from John Kolasa.