Rauzan Gassies - Margaux 2015

Vinous

89 / 100

byNeal Martinthe7/10/2019

The 2015 Rauzan-Gassies has lively blackberry, tea leaf and truffle aromas that display good vigor and definition. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly dry tannin, moderate depth and a smoky, tobacco-tinged finish that lingers. I would like a little more brightness, but otherwise this is one of the better wines from the estate in recent years. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

Wine Advocate

88 / 100

byNeal Martinthe3/2/2018

The 2015 Rauzan-Gassies has a lifted, slightly leafy bouquet with modest black fruit that just need to show more vigor. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, a little hard at first although there is decent depth here. What it just lacks is the complexity and precision of the best Margaux wines in this vintage. It pulls up a little short but at least there is satisfactory freshness and less greenness than I have discerned in previous recent vintages. Anticipated maturity: 2020 - 2032. 

Vinous

91 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe2/27/2018

The 2015 Rauzan Gassies is powerful and rather rustic, with potent tannins that convey and impression of rusticity. Smoke, grilled herbs, licorice, scorched earth and wild cherry notes add to the wines brooding, virile personality. The 2015 could turn out to be a small jewel of a wine if it softens a bit with time in bottle. The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot.

Wine Spectator

86 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/15/2018

A strong mint note gives way to soft plum and blackberry preserve flavors, ending with a veneer of mocha over the finish. Distinctive, but nowhere near in line with the success of the AOC in this vintage. Drink now through 2020. 6,667 cases made.  –JM

Jamessuckling.com

95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/12/2018

Ripe cassis and morello-cherry aromas pour from the glass. As seductive as the fruit of this wine is, there’s also serious concentration and a major tannin structure that means it packs quite a punch on the long, rather complex finish.

Decanter.com

91 / 100

byJane Ansonthe1/26/2018

A carefully worked wine, clearly ripe blackberry fruit that has been well balanced with finely textured tannins. Lots of enjoyment in this Cabernet dominant blend that plays to the strengths of the vintage - although there's just a little too much evident oak in the finish which stops it being as harmonious as it would otherwise be. Soft black fruits, autumnal in expression. 50% new oak and 8% press wine.

Jeb DUNNUCK

92 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe11/30/2017

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe11/8/2017

Deep lustrous crimson. A hint of oak but some real energy here too! Sort of fleshy and bumped up rather than beautiful. But this is a very good Rauzan-Gassies! It has really taken on flesh. Lots to chew on. A bit gritty rather than mellifluous but not bad at all. 16.5+

Vinifera

3-4 / 5

the5/31/2016

Notes boisées et toastées assez présentes. Il offre toutefois un certain fond. Corps d’une bonne densité aromatique, doté d’une chair épicée. Le tanin est savoureux et la finale affirme une agréable présence.

The Wine Cellar Insider

88-90 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/30/2016

Medium-bodied with tobacco and cassis at the forefront, this wine gives a strong, green olive sensation in the mouth, which subtracts from the overall experience.

Wine Advocate

86-88 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2016

The 2015 Rauzan Gassies...having visited the property last year, I was yearning to like this Margaux, but contrasted against its peers, it clearly falls short in terms of fruit concentration on the lean and leafy nose. The palate is better with more weight and body than recent vintages, dried herbs and spice on the entry, dark berry fruit tinged with cola and a healthy pinch of white pepper on the finish. If the aromatics can raise their game and meet the quality of the palate, then this will be a fine Margaux. Let's see what happens during its barrel maturation.

Bettane & Desseauve

17 / 20

the4/28/2016

Mûr, tannique, généreux, manque un peu de précision. Le plus abouti de l’histoire récente. Un corps plein, sans mollesse, et beaucoup de densité de sève, pour un long vieillissement heureux. Son prix devrait rester accessible et attractif. On attend avec impatience un nouveau cuvier qui permettra de travailler avec encore plus de précision.

Vinous

88-91 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/27/2016

Dark red cherry, plum, graphite, smoke and earthy notes all flesh out in the 2015 Rauzan Gassies. The 2015 offers good depth to match its somewhat burly, rough around the edges personality. Even so, there is enough nuance and overall complexity to lead me to be cautiously optimistic about the future. Tasted two times.

Decanter.com

91 / 100

bySteven Spurrierthe4/27/2016

Deep cassis fruit with lifted fragrance that shows Margaux elegance, good depth and good future once the tannins have blended in. 2022-2034

timatkin.com

88 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/20/2016

Jean-Marc QUARIN

15,5 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/20/2016

Ce vin présente le nez le plus précis jamais vu sur cette propriété. Bouche savoureuse, fruitée,agréable, de corps et de longueur moyens.

Jancis Robinson

16 /

byJancis Robinsonthe4/15/2016

Much darker than this wine usually is. A light note of almost-green vegetation. Appetising. Lighter than most. Just a little tart on the end without the concentration of the best. Drink 2023-2032

Wine Enthusiast

88-90 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/15/2016

Barrel Sample. This wine is rich in caramel flavors, with only light acidity. It has ripe strawberry fruits and a light structure that is dominated by the forward fruitiness. 89 points