Château Rauzan-Segla

Château Rauzan-Ségla is a second growth from Margaux, Bordeaux, as set out in the 1855 classification of Medoc and Graves. The wine is rich and concentrated, and is often considered one of the best of the second growths. Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for 62 percent of the 70-hectare (173-acre) vineyard, with Merlot at 36 percent and a small amount of both Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot making up the remainder. Soils are clay gravels on a Quaternary river terrace with areas of deeper fine gravel. Since 1994 and its acquisition by fashion giant Chanel, quality has improved at Rauzan-Ségla. Machine harvesting was eliminated, and there was a move to work the vineyards plot by plot. Grapes are sorted by hand and are aged in high-quality Sessile oak barrels.

This leaps from the glass with expressive notes of blackcurrant, cherry, a little incense and pepper, violets and mint. The body is precise and concentrated, with a pleasing vitality giving way to a taut finesse. The overall sensation is one of sensual pleasure, finishing with a deft touch which is fast becoming the hallmark of winemaker Nicholas Audebert.