CHÂTEAU RAUZAN SÉGLA

The 2012 Rauzan-Ségla has a similar colour to the 2015 although it has a hard time competing with the delineation, the crystalline nature of the 2015. Yet it compensates with the sheer aromatic flamboyance. This has really opened up in the last 18 months or so, quite lush and precocious black fruit, loam and iris, just a slight hint of bell pepper emanating from the small amount of Cabernet Franc. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin. There is a lovely seam of acidity here that lends the 2012 a sense of focus. It is not a deep or lavish Rauzan-Ségla, in some ways a little more conservative than I recall. There is fine grip on the saline finish, perhaps a Margaux that is just beginning to close up for a while? This still has great potential. Tasted at the Rauzan-Ségla vertical at the château. Drinking range: 2022 - 2050 Rating: 93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2019)

The 2012 Ségla is plump, juicy and forward, with the lovely sense of immediacy that defines the year. Hints of tobacco, mint, dried herbs and leather add nuance on the expressive, open-knit finish. Silky tannins add to an overall impression of finesse. This is a gorgeous, entry-level Margaux with plenty of near and medium-term appeal. Drinking range: 2016 - 2027 Rating: 89 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Jan 2016)

The nose has a complex mix of flavours more black fruits showing but underneath there is the freshness of red cherry. The fruit feels ripe the mid palate quite rich and although fresher towards the back and slightly tannin dominated the finish has sweetness, richness and depth. 2020-35 Rating: 91-95 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (Dec 2013)

The Grand Vin was cropped between 27th September with respect to the young merlot vines and finished on 20th October with the Cabernet Sauvignon, so it was raining the last two days. The blend is 54.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and 1.5% Petit Verdot that is being raised in 75% new oak. It has a very perfumed, very harmonious bouquet that is fresh and vibrant. The palate is medium-bodied with good structure. It is quite compact at the beginning with plenty of mineral-rich, Cabernet driven black fruit that lend it a Pauillac-like finish. The finish has an air of confidence about it, a second sample showing a little more compactness. This will be one of the top Margaux wines. Excellent. Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2013)

Moderately saturated medium red. Blackcurrant, herbs and a hint of spicy chocolatey oak on the nose. Supple and vinous on the palate, with moderate flesh and depth to the flavors of blackcurrant, dried herbs and tobacco complemented by a wet earth nuance. Shows a slightly green tang on the moderately long finish. Rating: 87-90 Ian d'Agata, www.vinousmedia.com (May 2013)

The 2012 Rauzan Segla may turn out to be as strong an effort as their 2010. A brilliant blend of 54.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot (which accounts for the wine’s ripeness and intensity), and the rest a tiny dollop of 1.5% Petit Verdot, it boasts an inky/blue/purple color as well as gorgeous aromas of black and blue fruits, spring flowers, and hints of background toast and forest floor. Well-integrated wood and acidity as well as moderately ripe tannins make for a medium to full-bodied, expansive, flavorful, rich, well-delineated effort. It will need 3-5 years of bottle age and should drink well for two decades thereafter. 2016 - 2036 Rating: 93-95 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Apr 2013)

Dense colour, lovely expression of floral Cabernet fruit, density and fragrance from pure vineyard ripeness, already beautifully Margaux on the nose with the length of fruit and firm but ripe tannins to give it a long future, a classic, fine Margaux. Drink: 2017 - 2035 Rating: 18 Steven Spurrier (Apr 2013)

Dark purplish. Lacks just a little freshness on the nose. Quite brutal fruit but some juiciness triumphs above the oak. Ambitious. Vibrant with good persistence. 2020 - 2035. Rating: 16.5 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2013)

Rating: 18 Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Apr 2013)

A mix of dark plum, blackberry and fig fruit rumbles along here, with a charcoal note cutting a broad swath. Solid, if a bit blunt in the end, as bittersweet cocoa clamps own on the finish. Went for obvious extraction, and now we have to wait and see if this stretches out in time or stays landlocked by the square tannins Rating: 89-92 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2013)

Rating: 90 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2013)

Balanced and structured with lots of polished tannins. Full and refined with a lovely core and length. Goes on for a long time. Rating: 92-93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2013)