2012 Chateau Rauzan-Segla 2eme Cru Classe, Margaux 1x75cl

Antonio Galloni 92+

The 2012 Rauzan-Segla is super-classy from start to finish. Sweet floral notes meld into spice, dried flowers, lavender and black cherry. This is a distinctly racy, open Rauzan-Segla that should drink well with minimal cellaring. Today, the new oak is a bit prominent, but a little more time in bottle should take care of things. [Antonio Galloni, 01/01/2016]

Anticipated maturity: 2019-2032

Neal Martin 93

The 2012 Rauzan-Segla 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-Segla, 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-Segla vertical at the chateau. [Neal Martin, 16/04/2019]

Anticipated maturity: 2022-2050

Vinous 87-90

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. [Ian D’Agata, 05/01/2013]

Wine Advocate 94

Deep garnet in color, the 2012 Rauzan-Segla reveals evolving notions of new leather, cigar box and stewed tea over a core of blackcurrant cordial, plum preserves and blueberry compote with touches of cumin seed and fenugreek. Medium-bodied, the palate has a lot of spritely zip with red fruit accents lifting the mature savory and spice notes, framed by grainy tannins, finishing with great tension. The blend this year is 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, harvested between September 27th and October 20th, at an average yield of 36 hectoliters per hectare. It was aged for 18 months in French oak, 70% new. The alcohol is 13.5%, and the pH is 3.67. [Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 01/04/2020]

Anticipated maturity: 2020-2042

JancisRobinson.com 17

Racy and fresh with pure fruit and real Margaux silkiness. Real lift. GV [05/03/2022]

Anticipated maturity: 2022-2040