ChâteauRauzan-Ségla,2ecruclasséMargaux2023EnPrimeur–Caseof6

Winemaker Nicolas Audebert was either at Château Canon or possibly on Chanel’s island in Provence (making wine?), so we tasted with Jean-Basile Roland who is the font of much knowledge at Rauzan anyway! There are 100+ plots of vines around the property with 25 different soil profiles and, with a challenging year, this takes a lot of management. But the results are superb, probably because of this careful segmentation. Jean-Basile reminded us that this was a hot year with late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon the key, and Rauzan is 85% Cabernet of the highest quality. A great nose kicks off, with lots of flower and red fruit, with a touch of spice. It’s very concentrated in the mouth with a muscular density that finishes with a rhubarb sappiness and inky depth. A big wine with depth and balance, intensity of flavour and plenty of structure. Should keep well. 5-15 years.