2005 Château Rauzan-Gassies
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Tasting notes
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Smudgy rim. Not much nose. Very sweet and thick then greenish tinge on the finish. Caricature wine. (JR)
Significantly better from bottle than it was from barrel, the 2005 Rauzan-Gassies appears to be the finest wine this estate has ever produced. Dense purple-hued with a beautiful perfume of camphor, creme de cassis, licorice, bay leaf, and incense, it is a full-bodied, stunningly concentrated, broad, rich Margaux with lovely integrated tannins. This backward 2005 will handsomely repay cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2030+.
An earthy touch to the dark fruit but there’s also an aromatic seed waiting to push through. Not very expressive at the moment. Dryish tannins mark the very end. (JH)
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.