Rauzan Ségla - Margaux 2005

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

94

byJane Ansonthe1/30/2023

Spiced sandalwood, red peppers and dark chocolate, old school in character compared to today's Rauzan Ségla, but this is lovely, with waves of crushed roses and plenty of Margaux finesse running through it, well balanced with subtle tannins exerting pressure, holding on for a mouthwatering finish. 39hl/h yield, harvest Septeber 21 to October 7. 70% new oak. John Kolasa director.

Vinous

97

byAntonio Gallonithe4/15/2021

The 2005 Rauzan-Ségla is captivating right from the very first taste. Soaring aromatics and bright veins of minerality confer energy to this statuesque Margaux. The 2005 is still a very young wine. In fact, I would cellar it for a few years. I am blown away by its energy, vibrant and sheer character. Bright red-toned fruit, spice, rose petal, blood orange and crushed rocks literally soar out of the glass. The 2005 captures the richness of the year, but it remains a classically built, mid-weight wine of remarkable freshness and tension. Rauzan-Ségla might very well be the most under the radar Left Bank wine in 2005. Magnificent.

Wine Advocate

95

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/9/2020

Jeb DUNNUCK

95

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/1/2019

Jamessuckling.com

97

byJames Sucklingthe11/17/2015

This is showing really well right now with an exuberance and richness that verges on extravagance. It's full body, firmly textured with a ripe and rich fruit too. So much berry, spice, chocolate and incense character. Love to drink it now but a long life ahead of it.

Wine Advocate

93

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2015

The 2005 Rauzan-Segla displays notes of bay leaf, blackcurrants, earth and spice. It has a very youthful, dense ruby/plum/purple color, a medium to full body, with tannins still present and a nice, spicy aftertaste. The wine is firm and still somewhat adolescent. Give it another 3-4 years, and drink it over the following 15-20. (93+)

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

92

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008

Good full red-ruby. Inviting, expressive aromas of plum, redcurrant, mocha, coffee, game, flowers and nutty oak. Sweet, fat and stuffed with fruit; quite silky in texture but a bit less refined than the 2006 in spite of its greater richness. Fairly full wine, finishing with lovely lingering perfume as well as slightly edgy tannins that will require a decade of cellaring.

Wine Advocate

94

byRobert Parkerthe5/7/2008

One of the most beautiful Rauzan-Seglas made in decades, this blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest primarily Merlot and tiny dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot exhibits a gorgeous perfume of spring flowers, subtle mint, black cherries, black currants, licorice, and a hint of new oak. It offers medium to full body, sweet tannins, and a layered mouthfeel that builds incrementally to a sensational finish. Although this beauty is performing well, it remains a decade away from its plateau of maturity. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2030+.

Wine Spectator

97

byJames Sucklingthe2/22/2008

Very beautiful aromas of crushed berry, flowers, currant and Indian spices follow through to a full body, with ultrafine tannins and a long, long finish. Extremely polished and beautiful, with a seamless texture. Best after 2014. 10,000 cases made.

Jancis Robinson

17

byJancis Robinsonthe10/21/2007

Bright crimson. Tight, dense, opulent without being sweet. Lively but not nearly ready. Very solid. not really especially Margaux but a well balanced 2005 left bank bordeaux. 17+?

Wine Advocate

90-93

byRobert Parkerthe5/4/2007

This wine has become more structured and backward since I tasted it last year. Only 48% of the production made it into the final blend (55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc). Revealing loads of muscle along with floral-infused sweet black currant fruit, superb density, high tannin, and an austere, but impressively pure and textured mouthfeel, purchasers should lay this 2005 away for a decade before considering consumption. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030+.

Wine Advocate

95

byNeal Martinthe6/16/2006

Tasted single blind at Southwold. After a couple of vexing showing out of barrel, this Rauzan-Segla is finally proving its mettle and I happily upgrade my score. Tasted blind, it shines amongst its peers with a well defined nose: blackberry, crushed stones and a touch of oyster shell. Great clarity. This is very well balanced on the palate, nice acidity, fresh, tannic backbone and really great focus. Sophisticated from start to finish. It has beautifully interwoven oak. This will be a great Rauzan-Segla but as always it needs patient cellaring. Drink 2015-2030+ Tasted January 2009.

Vinifera

5

byBernard Burtschythe6/1/2006

Le vin est suave et rond, tendrement épicé, finement extrait, mais il manque à ce stade d'un peu de profondeur, même si le grand vin a éré sévèrement sélectionné (48% de la récolte).

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

91-94

byStephen Tanzerthe6/1/2006

Bright ruby-red. Pure, highly perfumed aromas of boysenberry, violet, mint and toasty oak; very black fruit in character. Then dense and rich in the mouth but tightly wound, with great life to the flavors of dark berries, tobacco and minerals. Finishes atypically broad for this wine, with big but suave tannins and the boysenberry and floral flavors going on and on. Serious, refined and ageworthy. This will require at least five or six years of further bottle aging upon its release.

Vinum

18

byMarkus Del Monegothe6/1/2006

Einmal mehr verführt dieser Wein schon allein durch seine Nase, sein ungewöhnlich delikates Bouquet von Blüten und Johannisbeeren. Im Mund dann überaus präzise Tannine, grosse Frische und Länge, Klasse und erstaunliche Finesse und erst in zweiter Linie Konzentration. Grossartig, hat Stil. 2013 bis 2020.

Wine Advocate

92-94

byRobert Parkerthe5/1/2006

Owned by the Wertheimer brothers of Chanel fame, this is another estate that has produced their finest wine in many years. Administrator John Kolasa is exceptionally happy with what he has achieved in 2005 from yields of 39 hectoliters per hectare. Only 48% of the production made it into the final blend of 54.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Exhibiting a wonderfully precise nose of sweet black currants, loamy soil, incense, and subtle herbs, oak, and spice, a fabulous attack, a medium to full-bodied, layered texture, superb purity, good underlying acidity, and a blockbuster yet elegant finish, it should be at its finest between 2012-2030+.

Le Point

18

byJacques Dupontthe5/1/2006

Cerise noire, prune rouge, touche de poivre et d'épices, la bouche est tapissé de petits tanins ronds très margaliens, un roulement à billes parfaitement huilé, beaucoup de fruit (fraise et cerise), un vin très droit sans heurt, soyeux et joyeux.

Jancis Robinson

16.50

byJancis Robinsonthe5/1/2006

Dark purplish. Slightly soapy nose with a slightly crude, raw edge to it-quite contained on the nose then very opulent, almost right bank, on the palate. Obviously sweet and rich rather than classic Margaux. Lovely texture then fades a little on the finish. Tasted only once unfortunately, blind. Drink 2012-2022.

WeinWisser

18

byRené Gabrielthe5/1/2006

Sattes Purpur-Rubin. Nobles Waldbeerenbouquet, mit Edelhölzern und Teenoten unterlegt, ein Hauch dunkler Rosen darin. Samtener, sehr elegant ausgerichteter Gaumen, wunderschön balanciert, fast tänzerisch wirkend, feine Tannine, sehr lang. 2012-2028.

TAST

16.50

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/1/2006

Un vin de taffetas, particulièrement harmonieux dans sa texture, infiniment plus précis dans sa définition aromatique que Rauzan-Gassies, long, de très belle classe où la finesse se permet le luxe de masquer le corps et la vinosité!

Wine Spectator

95-100

byJames Sucklingthe3/28/2006

Beautiful aromas of blackberries, chocolate, coffee and currants. Full-bodied, with wonderfu ultrafine tannins and structure. Long, long finish. Seriously structured and rich. All in reserve right now, but you can feel the outstanding quality. 2000 in the remake. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. —J.S.