critic reviews
A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35.5% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 0.5% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Rauzan-Segla has a deep garnet-purple color. It storms out of the glass with powerful notes of crème de cassis, juicy black plums, and Indian spices, giving way to fragrant touches of incense, dried roses, and dusty soil. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of flavors of spicy black fruit preserves, framed by velvety tannins and impressive tension, finishing with great length.
This is just the most delicious Rauzan Ségla, so much depth, carefully placed black cherry, damson and blueberry fruits, juicy even though still so young. A vintage that has plenty of tannic architecture, softened by cocoa bean, liqourice and rosebud, love it. 42hl/h yield, 60% new oak, 3.73ph. Harvest 12th September to October 9th. Nicolas Audbert director, Eric Boissenot consultant. An upscore since I last tasted this wine.
The 2019 Rauzan-Ségla is surly and backward on the nose despite aeration. Gravelly black fruit, sous-bois and touches of seaweed emerge with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, fleshy and smooth, a dash of white pepper and cedar towards the shelled finish. This is one bottle that desperately needs more aeration to show its capabilities - one for long-term cellaring. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.
The 2019 Rauzan-Segla has turned out brilliantly, unwinding in the glass with fragrant aromas of cassis, blackberries, violets, rose petals and sweet soil tones. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and concentrated, it's deep and layered, with beautifully refined tannins, lively acids and a long, perfumed finish. This is a sensual, elegant Rauzan-Segla from Nicolas Audebert and his team.