Rauzan Ségla - Margaux 2022

Alexandre Ma

96

par Alexandre Ma le 10/03/2025

When tasting the En Primeur of Château Rauzan-Ségla 2022, I was particularly concerned about volatile acidity, but it turns out my worries were completely unnecessary. Perhaps due to the 72% Cabernet Sauvignon—the highest proportion in two decades—the 2022 vintage exhibits extraordinary concentration and power. The aromas of blueberry jam and crushed strawberries are strikingly vivid, and with a swirl, layers of dried rose petals, longan shell, and tea stems unfold, teasing the senses repeatedly. At this stage, the vintage has yet to reveal its signature gentle character. Indeed, the 2022 vintage requires time to settle, and with patience, it will gradually transform into a vision of pure beauty. (17% press wine, 50% new oak, pH 3.7, alcohol 14.5%)

Wine Advocate

96

par William Kelley le 07/03/2025

The 2022 Rauzan-Ségla is showing well in bottle, unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries and cherries mingled with licorice, burning embers and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, ample and velvety, it's suave and seamless, with its dense core of fruit framed by powdery structuring tannins that lend a more evident backbone than it exhibited en primeur. As readers may remember, the 2022 is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot; and in 2022, the east-facing sides of the vines, which see the afternoon sun, were picked separately, along with anything that showed signs of stress.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

97

par Jane Anson le 07/03/2025

An accomplished wine that has been steered skilfully through ageing, and delivers the exceptional quality that it showed En Primeur. Cocoa bean, espresso, tar, ink, campfire, finesse, powerful but understated tannic architecture, cassis fruits laced with black tea, incense, graphite and peony. 50% new barrels, Nicolas Audebert director

Decanter.com

97

par Georgina Hindle le 07/03/2025

Heady floral aromatics and vibrant black fruit. Gorgeous succulence and energy. It's not shouting, not too high in acidity or too fleshy, but a great combination of plush and filling tannins, cool blue fruit, ripe red fruit, crystalline minerality and subtle spices. Smooth and clean, elegant and confident. Approachable with...

The Wine Cellar Insider

97

par Jeff Leve le 04/03/2025

Rauzan-Ségla, Château

Jeb DUNNUCK

98

par Jeb Dunnuck le 28/02/2025

The flagship 2022 Château Rauzan-Ségla checks in as 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot, all aged 18 months in 50% new French oak. It's much more focused and precise compared to the second wine and has brilliant aromatics of crème de cassis, crushed violets, graphite, and smoky oak. Gorgeously concentrated and full-bodied, with riveting purity and precision, this stunning Margaux has ripe yet building tannins, a terrific mid-palate, and flawless overall balance. I love it today yet 7-8 years of cellar are warranted and it will cruise over the following 3-4 decades in cold cellars. It's another sensational wine from this estate.

Yvesbeck.wine

98

par Yves Beck le 25/02/2025

72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot Que de définitions et de profondeur dans ce bouquet où la tension et la clarté sont déjà perceptibles. La fraîcheur du fruit et la densité sont impressionnantes, tout comme la définition et la puissance. Le vin est sapide, salivant, compact, friand et soutenu par des tannins suaves qui confèrent puissance et délicatesse. Un chef-d'œuvre. 2028-2054 98/100

Vinous

96

par Neal Martin le 12/02/2025

Rauzan Ségla has included more Cabernet Sauvignon in recent vintages due to new plantings and selection in recent years, according to Nicola Audebert. The 2022 has a dense nose that has dispensed with some of the opulence observed during primeur two years ago. There is plenty of concentration allied with less exoticism and extravagance than you might have expected. Scents of black cherries, bilberry, touches of peony and violet are later joined by subtle graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with wonderful balance and concentration, actually not a million miles away from Palmer in style this year. Quite saline and offering a dash of cracked black pepper on the Cabernet-driven finish, this lives up to expectations. It should mature marvelously in bottle.

Jamessuckling.com

98

par James Suckling le 03/02/2025

Aromas of blueberries and blackberries with walnuts and hints of tar that follow through to a medium to full body with plush and velvety tannins and a lovely, caressing mouthfeel. It closes up at the end. Extremely long, pure and structured. Classic 72% cabernet sauvignon, 26% merlot and 2% petit verdot. From organically grown grapes. Give this at least until after 2030 to open and come around.

Vinous

97

par Antonio Galloni le 28/01/2025

The 2022 Rauzan-Ségla is a classy, elegant wine. Even so, the 2022 very clearly lacks the immediacy of some surrounding vintages. Readers should be prepared to cellar this for a number of years The mid-weight, gracious presence of Rauzan-Ségla is very much present, and yet the tannins are pretty imposing. Dark red/purplish fruit, rose petal, graphite and white pepper are all beautifully delineated in the glass. The 2022 is pure and total sophistication. This is a wine that may very well have more to say in the future. Tasted four times.

Wine Spectator

96

par James Molesworth le 27/01/2025

This is dreamy, with deliciously juicy mulberry and blackberry puree flavors that stream through, carried by a vivid mix of iris, violet and anise, along with a long, well-embedded iron note. As this airs in the glass, it gains a caressing feel and greater depth, ending with a long echo of warm earth. Beautifully done. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2026 through 2042.

Wine Maniacs

99-100

par Lin Liu le 30/05/2023

Decanter.com

97

par Georgina Hindle le 25/05/2023

Gorgeously fragranced on the nose with perfumed black fruits and pink flowers - smells very Margaux. Clean and crisp, a beautiful precision from the start with ripe and rich fruit but cool fresh acidity and sleek, fine tannins. A little shy, still compact and tightly knitted, but lovely detail, so well worked, almost delicate but there's still quite fleshy, plush fruit. Excellent concentration but delivered with an easy sleight of hand, expanding with time in the glass. Glamorous, scented, inviting, deep and seductive. A brilliant and totally moreish wine. Yield of 30hl/ha. 3.7pH. 17% press wine. Harvest 2-28 September. Ageing in French oak for 14-16 months, 15% new. In organic conversion. Tasted twice.

Alexandre Ma

94-95

par Alexandre Ma le 17/05/2023

The first sample exhibited some oxidation, while the second was brimming with floral aromas. The 2022 vintage presents a more mature and significantly enhanced fruit intensity compared to previous years. Blueberry jam and crushed strawberry scents are particularly prominent, the fragrance of dried rose petals, longan shells, and tea stems emerges with a swirl of the glass, revealing subtle hints of age even in its youth. In terms of mouthfeel, Château Rauzan-Ségla 2022 possesses a more muscular quality, sacrificing a bit of its ethereal nature. With better control over the warm sensation in the finish, this wine could achieve even greater excellence. It is recommended to enjoy this wine within the next 10-15 years. (17% Press Wine, 50% New Oak, pH: 3.7, Alcohol: 14.5%)

Vinous

95-97

par Neal Martin le 17/05/2023

The 2022 Rauzan-Ségla was picked 2 to 28 September at 30hL/ha and matured for 18 months in 50% new oak. Nicolas Audebert told me that it contains 17% vin de presse which is slightly higher than normal, a combination of 150 separate vinifications. This has a very opulent bouquet with layers of black cherries, créme de cassis and violets. Perhaps just a little too decadent? The palate is medium-bodied with fine balance, grainy tannins, very pure and focused with quite a minerally finish. Long in the mouth. It's just missing that knockout blow at the moment, yet it's still a supremely well-crafted Margaux.

The Vintage Journal

96-97

par Andrew Caillard MW le 17/05/2023

Deep crimson. Beautifully defined wine with pure blackcurrant, cedar, marzipan, roasted chestnut aromas and flavours and persistent fine grainy tannins. Finsihes bittersweet with chinotto notes. Lovely volume, richness and freshness. Beautifully balanced wine. (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and minute parcels of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot 60% new oak)

matthewjukes.com

19

par Matthew Jukes le 15/05/2023

The Wine Independent

97-99

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 15/05/2023

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Rauzan-Segla is made from 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, aging for 18 months in French oak, 50% of it new. A little swirling unleashes an explosion of black and red currant jelly, wild blueberries, and chocolate-covered cherries, giving way to a fragrant undercurrent of violets, underbrush, and crushed rocks with a touch of star anise. The full-bodied palate is built like a brick house and crafted like a Chanel suit, with a firm backbone of super-ripe, grainy tannins and impressive tension supporting a gorgeous array of floral, spice, and black fruit layers, finishing very long and with impeccable grace. pH 3.7.

Yvesbeck.wine

97-99

par Yves Beck le 10/05/2023

La clarté et la définition de ce bouquet posent les jalons, d'entrée. Que de précision, de fraîcheur et de pluralité. Des parfums de baies rouges et noires, des nuances de réglisse et de rafraîchissantes notes d'eucalyptus forment le bouquet. Le vin brille de sa pertinence, de son côté ciselé, juteux, fruité et élégant… tout en disposant d'une extraordinaire puissance, savamment canalisée. Un vin exceptionnel, harmonieux, fin, d'une rare persistance.

Bettane & Desseauve

96

par Bettane & Desseauve le 10/05/2023

Harmonieux, raffiné, doté d’une texture d’une rare élégance et complexe. Une grande réussite dans ce millésime.

Jeb DUNNUCK

97-99

par Jeb Dunnuck le 10/05/2023

This château has been firing on all cylinders of late, no doubt due to the talents of technical director Nicolas Audebert, and a wine that's going to flirt with perfection is their 2022 Château Rauzan-Ségla. Powerful notes of black cherries, currants, smoked tobacco, chocolate, and leafy herbs all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, concentrated texture, ripe yet building tannins, and a great finish. This is a legit great wine that's going to rival the 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2020.

Vinous

95-97

par Antonio Galloni le 09/05/2023

The 2022 Rauzan-Ségla is a rich, opulent wine that very much reflects the nature of this radiant, dry year. Super-ripe dark plum, cassis, chocolate, gravel, cloves and new leather build as the 2022 shows off its unabashedly opulent personality. Even with all of its intensity, the 2022 retains tons of persistence and energy. It's a fabulous wine in this tricky vintage. Tasted three times. Drinking window : 2032-2062

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98

par Jeff Leve le 05/05/2023

Dark in color, the array of floral notes shoot out with violets, lilacs, and roses. From there you find truffle, red and black fruits, cigar box and cedar also come through in the nose. While the perfume is catchy, it is on the palate where the wine takes off. Texturally, the wine is drenched in velvet. There is intensity, richness, and concentration, as well as weightlessness on the palate. With this wine, the seamless finish must be felt, as well as tasted. The wine is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot. This marks the highest percentage of Cabernet in the blend and with 17% press wine in the blend, it is the highest portion of press wine as well. 14.5% ABV, 3.7 pH. The harvest took place September 2 - September 28. This is the earliest start to a harvest for Rauzan Segla. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. The Grand Vin was produced from 50% of the harvest. Drink from 2027-2065.

Wine Advocate

96-97

par William Kelley le 02/05/2023

The 2022 Rauzan-Ségla is a beautifully sensual, charming wine, bursting with aromas of cherries, dark berries and plums mingled with hints of violets, sweet loamy soil and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's fleshy and enveloping, with an ample core of vibrant fruit, supple tannins and a long, succulent finish. The 2022 is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot; and in 2022, the east-facing sides of the vines, which see the afternoon sun, were picked separately, along with anything that showed signs of stress.

Jamessuckling.com

97-98

par James Suckling le 19/04/2023

The freshness and clarity of the fruit is really something with black currants and cherries. Brilliant. Full-bodied, layered and round with polished tannins. I like the intensity and focus with such precision and gorgeousness. Is this the 2016 plus more?