| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Margaux |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
A moderate garnet hue. The Merlot element is surprisingly intense on the nose at first, with cherry, cassis, a touch of blueberry overlaid with noticeable new oak which I think is better integrated on the 1995. The palate is medium-bodied with a touch of sour cherry, tobacco wild strawberry and a chewy tannic finish. It just comes across as a little forced, yet it is well balanced and should improve with more ageing. Drink 2010-2025.
Deep garnet-brick in color, the 1996 Chateau Rauzan-Segla is scented of dried flowers and creme de cassis with hints of game, black olives and pencil lead. Medium bodied and still quite tight in the mouth, it has a great concentration of layered savory and warm cassis flavors with lively acid and a medium level of grainy tannins, finishing long.
Exceptionally dark ruby. Fresh, frank nose - not overpoweringly ripe but very clean and brisk. Good balance - very neat. Slightly bracing. Not yet ready. Drink 2008-15
The dense purple-colored 1996 Rauzan Segla reveals a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated nose of cigar box, cassis, floral, and vanillin scents. Long, structured, tannic and closed, with formidable power and muscle, and potentially outstanding purity and richness, this wine requires 10-12 years of cellaring. If it continues to flesh out and attain better balance between the tannin and fruit, this will be an outstanding effort from this estate. However, potential purchasers should have the discipline to wait a decade or more for it to reach its plateau of maturity.
