2023, Château Rauzan-Ségla, MARGAUX, 2ème Grand Cru Classé

Last Year EP $186.00-

(2nd Growth 1855) 

Now comfortably established in the super-second league. Huge efforts have been made by owners Chanel to make great wine at Rauzan. New winemaker Nicolas Audebert arrived following stints at Krug and making Cheval des Andes for LVMH in South America.
The blend for 2023 is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5% Merlot, 1.5% Petit Verdot.

The 2023 Rauzan-Ségla is fabulous. Rich, dense and explosive, the 2023 soars out of the glass with captivating aromatics. Readers will find a vertical, deep Margaux endowed with tremendous character and nuance. All the elements are so well-balanced. Crushed rocks, plum, blood orange, spice and leather are some of the notes that explode into the finish. Rauzan-Ségla is one of the most memorable wines of the vintage. It was nothing short of stellar on the four occasions I tasted it.
96-98 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.

The 2023 Rauzan-Ségla shows considerable promise, unwinding in the glass with aromas of cherries, dark berries and plums mingled with hints of pencil shavings and violets. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's deep and fleshy, with terrific purity of fruit, supple tannins and a long, resonant finish. Classic in the making.
94-96 William Kelley, Wine Advocate.

This has rich layers to its aromatic palate, showing rhubarb, savoury cassis and blueberry, peony, rose petals, soot, gun smoke, graphite, flint, weight and texture, spiralling upwards. Wonderful expression of a wine that seems supremely Margaux and supremely Rauzan Ségla. 50% new oak.
96 Jane Anson.

The 2023 Rauzan-Segla is deep garnet-purple in colour. It prances out with flamboyant notes of Morello cherries, blackcurrant pastilles, violets, and liquorice giving way to suggestions of rosebud tea, crushed rocks, and Sichuan pepper. The medium-bodied palate delivers amazing tension to offset the shiny black and red berry layers, framed by velvety tannins, finishing long and perfumed. This is gorgeous! 
95-97 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW.