2005 - Rauzan-Segla, Margaux

A blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2005 Rauzan-Segla is medium to deep garnet in color, with a touch of brick. It needs a lot of shaking to wake up fragrant notes of rose oil, cardamom, iron ore, and dried cherries, opening out to a core of blackcurrant pastilles, cigar box, and star anise, plus a touch of Darjeeling tea. The medium-bodied palate delivers taut, muscular red and black fruits, with a firm, fine-grained texture and fantastic tension, finishing very long, with loads of mineral and floral layers. It’s just gorgeous and still has many years ahead of it.

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.

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.