2008, Château Rauzan-Ségla, MARGAUX, 2nd Growth Grand Cru Classé

Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot.

The 2008 Rauzan-Ségla, a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot, is just beginning to show signs of maturity in the glass. The bouquet has always been a little conservative and foursquare in my opinion, as if the Merlot needs to “gee up” and impart more opulence and fruité. There is a light earthy scent, and a touch of warm brick infusing the dark berry fruit, but it does not quite “billow” as you would like a Margaux wine to do. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, a fine line of acidity, truffle tinged red berry fruit laced with mocha and leather. This is showing more secondary notes towards the finish, but I would still afford it maybe another year or two in bottle. (Tasted at the château and at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual vertical tasting.) 91 Neal Martin, Vinous (2018).

Good dark, bright red. Deep, brooding aromas of blueberry, mulberry, tobacco, mint and pepper. Deep and sweet, with ripe mulberry and raspberry fruit nicely supported by a firm mineral underpinning. At once smooth and sappy, offering a captivating balance of sweetness and ripe acidity. Finishes strong and vibrant, with firm tannins supported by the wine's mid-palate fruit. 91+ Stephen Tanzer, Vinous (2011).

Deep garnet in colour, the 2008 Rauzan-Ségla has a rather rustic nose of sweaty leather, tobacco and dried herbs over a core of dried mulberries, prunes and underbrush. Medium-bodied, the mid-palate has just enough earthy/savoury flavours with chewy tannins and a drying finish. The blend this year is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot, harvested between October 2nd and 21st, at an average yield of 47 hectolitres per hectare. It was aged for 18 months in French oak, 60% new. The alcohol is 13.5%. 89 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (2020).

Drinking Window: 2020 - 2045