Château Rauzan Ségla, 2ème Cru Classé, Margaux, 2021
Under the astute guidance of Nicolas Audebert, Rauzan Segla is beginning to demonstrate its true potential. Not only is it one of the leading lights of the Margaux commune, it is now regarded as one of the foremost super seconds. Produced from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot, the influence of new oak barrels has been reduced to 60%. Quite a complex, spicy nose, with hints of peonies, classical fruits and stony minerals. A wonderful high toned floral quality over pure, crisp berry fruit. The tannins are beautifully integrated and fused with the fruit, notes of graphite shoot through the raspberry, blood orange and creme de mûre core, with hints of ferrous rocks. Very sleek across the mid palate, lots of tense, nervy fruit, then stony, polished tannins. Graceful and refreshing with lovely touches of spice on the finish, almost an Espelette pepper note. Gorgeous!
critic reviews
The 2021 Rauzan-Segla is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It prances out with showy notes of black cherries, juicy blackcurrant, and fresh blackberries, leading to touches of lilacs, dark chocolate, and star anise. The medium-bodied palate is velvety and mouth-coating, delivering perfumed black fruit with impressive harmony and depth.
Classic Rauzan Ségla in that it is sculpted and finessed, with rose petal and black tea notes. Far from the concetrated gourmet take that we have had in vintages like 2022 or 2020, but it has real precision, with sinewy, graceful blueberry and blackcurrant fruits, and a juicy finish. Tasted twice, 45% of overall production. First full year of conversion to organics. Nicolas Audebert director, Eric Boissenot consultant.
The 2021 Rauzan-Ségla has a beautifully defined bouquet that soars from the glass with blackberry, raspberry coulis, hints of iodine and crushed iris flower aromas. The new oak (60%) is seamlessly integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins and perfectly judged acidity, silky yet with sufficient tension and sapidity on the edgy finish to beckon you back for another sip. This is a splendid Rauzan-Ségla that I suspect will mature in bottle for longer than you might expect.
The 2021 Rauzan-Segla has turned out very nicely, offering up aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with subtle notions of baking chocolate, mint, pencil lead and vanilla pod. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and suave, with a seamless core of fruit that's framed by polished tannins and bright but nicely integrated acids, it concludes with a long, delicately mordant finish.