Rauzan Segla 2015 (5.0L)

98 WCI / 97 WA / 97 WI / 97 JS / 97 JA / 96 VM / 96 WE / 96 DE / 95+ JD / 95 WS / 18 JR

The 2015 Rauzan-Segla (Rausan-Segla) was a magnificent wine out of barrel, but what matters, of course, is how you and I find this Margaux in bottle. Well, it has a disarmingly beautiful, almost haunting bouquet with pure black fruit laced with cedar, orange blossom and violet aromas that blossom in the glass. I cannot recollect a Rauzan-Segla as delineated as this. The palate is medium-bodied but with ripe, quite bold tannin that lends this wine much more volume than in previous vintages. This just fills the mouth and satiates the senses. There is a fine line of acidity here and tints of black truffle. There is a wondrous mineral tension on the finish and yet this is a Margaux that is determined and succeeds in satiating all the senses...apart from sound. So put your favorite musician on and savor this exceptional wine over the coming years. A benchmark. - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate

A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Rauzan-Segla is deep garnet in color, with a touch of brick. It comes bounding out of the glass with gregarious notes of kirsch, warm cassis, and redcurrant preserves, soon giving way to an undercurrent of potpourri, Chinese five spice, fragrant soil, and cardamon, with a hint of rose oil. The medium-bodied palate is coated with evolving layers of black and red fruit preserves, with a load of floral and mineral accents and a beautifully plush texture, finishing long and perfumed. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent

Extremely aromatic with dried flowers, perfumed and sandalwood and blackcurrants. Full body, ultra-fine tannins, a gorgeous core of ripe fruit and blackcurrants and blueberries. Racy and very long. So impressive. This needs four or five years to come around but already so fine. - James Suckling

Packed full of blackberry, redcurrant, creme de cassis, chocolate shavings, slate, tar, supple yet muscular texture to the tannins, this tugs you back in, taking its time as it slowly unrolls. Great stuff, still a little subdued aromatically but has the texture and the grip to ensure decades of life. 65% new oak, 40hl/h yield, harvest September 10 to October 9. First year with Nicolas Audebert as director, taking over from John Kolasa.-Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

The 2015 Rauzan-Ségla is every bit as impressive as it was from barrel. Rich, sumptuous and super-intense, the 2015 envelops the palate. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, licorice, leather, tobacco and menthol are all given an extra kick of richness in a dramatic, exceptionally beautiful Rauzan-Ségla that clearly swings for the fences. Although quite concentrated and sumptuous, the 2015 also retains considerable nuance. Readers lucky enough to own the 2015 can look forward to several decades of fine drinking. This is terrific effort from estate manager Nicolas Audebert, who wasted no time in sending a strong message about his ambitions in his first full-time vintage at Rauzan-Ségla. The 2015 is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media 

I loved the 2015 Rauzan-Segla and it’s another sensational Margaux and is another data point showing Margaux was the most successful appellation in the Médoc. Deep purple/ruby-hued with an elegant perfume of currants, raspberries, dried flowers, and toasted spices, with ample background oak, this full-bodied, incredibly elegance, pure Margaux has sweet tannin, impressive mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It has awesome purity of fruit and promises to evolve for 30+ years. - Jeb Dunnuck

This takes a very fresh approach, with a seemingly open-knit feel to the mix of mulled raspberry and red currant fruit. Pretty lilac, incense and singed apple wood notes underscore the fruit, while silky but persistent tannins carry the finish. Delivers latent depth and precise balance, so don’t let this early charm fool you, as this should unfurl beautifully in the cellar. Best from 2022 through 2040. - Wine Spectator

Smooth, well-worked fine tannins with a touch of smokiness and some firm damson fruits. The fruit builds on the palate - cassis purée with pencil lead and liquorice to mitigate the sweetness, nicely balanced with a great feel of freshness. The alcohol is a touch evident on the finish, but it is an extremely confident and accomplished wine, very classy with a huge life ahead which showcases the continued excellence at Rauzan Ségla under Nicolas Audebert. 65% new oak. - Jane Anson, Decanter

Beautifully balanced. Superb red and black fruit with a lovely vein of acidity that lends it great charm. Excellent depth and layering but seemless. Ultra fine tannins. Tasted at the Chateau out of several barrels. GVWM