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Rauzan Ségla 2000

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Margaux
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Rauzan-Segla

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Tasting Notes

The 2000 Rauzan-Ségla is deep in color. The bouquet is similar to the bottle poured a couple of years ago, featuring blueberry and Provençal herbs, the secondary and primary scents commingling to wonderful effect. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and tarry black fruit, and quite structured and fresh, leading to a grippy, saline finish. A redoubtable, almost swarthy Margaux that should drink well for another 20 years or more. Superb.

93
Neal Martin, vinous.com, September 2021
90+
Robert Parker, Bordeaux Book (4), December 2003
95
James Suckling, Wine Spectator (Mar 31, 03), March 2003

Tawny rose in colour, with dried roses, mushroom and soy on the aromatics, this is definitely open and heading to fully tertiary, focusing squarely on charcoal, spice and undergrowth rather than plump fruits at this stage, with a touch of earthy brett. You can find more muscular 2000s, but this is succulent, welcoming and very much ready to drink, with layers of smoky oak. 60% new oak barrels, 37hl/h yield. Harvest September 25 to October 6. John Kolasa director.

91
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, March 2023
95
Farr Vintners, April 2001
Read more tasting notes...

The 2000 Rauzan-Ségla was the only vintage that I procured myself out in the market because of many fond memories. I am so glad I did fill in the gap because I feel it is a rather overlooked gem. It has a gorgeous bouquet, a little backward at first but then opening with black cherries, blueberry jam and hints of Provençal herbs, though none of the saddle leather I noticed back in 2010. The palate is medium-bodied with smooth tannins, nigh perfect acidity and a rich, quite grippy finish. The estate prefers the 2001 but I find this possesses more ambition. Tasted at Lorne restaurant in London. Drink 2019-2040.

94
Neal Martin, vinous.com, April 2019

While the bottled 2000 still reveals a certain sternness in addition to tough tannin, it is sweeter and more expansive and flavorful. The dark ruby/purple color is saturated and impressive. With coaxing, notes of lead pencil shavings, black currants, earth, cedar, and spice box emerge from a relatively closed, firm, medium to full-bodied wine or, as the French would say, a classic vin de garde (for long-term cellaring). Although austere, it is a classic, authoritatively flavored effort that requires patience. I would like to see sweeter tannin and more flesh built into the mid-palate, but there is no denying the classicism and purity of this 2000. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.

90
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (146), April 2003

This wine is evolving nicely and will probably merit an outstanding score by the time it is bottled. The tannin has sweetened since last year (a positive sign), although this Margaux has not yet put on the weight expected given how its peers have developed. An impressive opaque purple color is followed by an elegant, fragrant bouquet of black fruits, minerals, dried Provencal herbs, and vanilla. Medium-bodied, with high but sweet tannin, a nice texture, and a moderately long finish, this classically refined as well as authoritatively flavored effort will be at its finest between 2006-2020.

89/91
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (139), February 2002

This wine has closed down since I tasted it in January. It reveals notes of green pepper in the otherwise enticing bouquet of black fruits, minerals, and vanillin, medium to full body, an austere, structured personality, and copious tannin. While I initially thought it would taste better, there is a lot going on in this 2000, so perhaps my score is unduly conservative. There is no question that this wine has considerable upside potential. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2020.

88/90+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (134), April 2001

This seems quite fleshy on the nose, just a touch of reduction at first although it blows away. Cranberry, strawberry, a touch of fig, then more secondary aromas coming through: saddle leather and Provencal herbs. The palate is medium-bodied, quite opulent and generous, silky smooth tannins but there is also real backbone to this wine. As always, this wine is masculine and broody at birth but now is coming into its own and lightening up. Red-berried fruits, a touch of pepper, orange zest, tightly coiled and pointed towards the finish. Great weight and grip on the finish. Superb. Drink 2013-2040.

95
Neal Martin, Wine-Journal.com, September 2010
95
James Suckling, Wine Spectator Weekly (16 Jan 03), January 2003
95/100
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, January 2003
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.