Complex aromas of blackcurrant, black truffle, walnut, bark and earth follow through to a full body with dense, refined tannins that are layered and chewy, yet silky. Very long finish. Best since 2015?

With a beautiful, deep hue, the wine pops with its floral, dark pit fruit, espresso, smoke, licorice and spice perfume. On the palate the wine is rich, full and with a solid depth of flavor, finishing with layers of concentrated, silky, lusciously textured black, red and blue fruits. Clearly, this is a big step up from pervious vintages. From what I've tasted, you have to go back to 1928 to taste a wine from Rauzan Gassies this good. 91-93

One of the more exotic wines in the appellation, the 2020 Château Rauzan-Gassies offers a spicy, perfumed, red and blue-fruited style and carries notes of camphor, ginger, and spicy oak. Medium to full-bodied and nicely textured on the palate, it has good mid-palate density, ripe tannins, and solid balance. This is another beautiful Margaux with lots of character and a solid 20 years of prime drinking ahead of it.

With a deep purple-black color, the 2020 Rauzan-Gassies comes galloping out of the glass with powerful notes of warm cassis, stewed blackberries and Morello cherries, plus wafts of tar, raspberry leaves and sautéed herbs with a touch of black truffles. The medium-bodied palate is soft and juicy, featuring plenty of black fruit flavors and just enough freshness, finishing with a peppery kick.

Full bottle 1, 344 g. Cask sample. 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 35-year-old vines. 50% new oak. Very dark crimson with purplish rim. Dark-fruited aroma, full of lively cassis and a slight char rather than spice from the oak. Just a touch cedary. Powerful, upright, direct and pure in its Cabernet character, the Merlot just a support. Firm, fine texture, the oak is quite evident but the fruit stands up to it, suggesting a promising future. Fresh, cedary aftertaste and good length. Really fine tannins. (JH)