A more lucid hue than the 1996, this has more ripeness and sensuality on the nose. Redcurrants, cherry and bilberry with tangible new oak. With aeration, a hint of fig compote develops. There is certainly good fruit concentration on the full-bodied, vigorous palate, quite sinewy in style with great weight. Powerful and yet still very right. Layers of red-berried fruit, a hint of damson, cedar and pencil lead. Surprisingly masculine, this has great potential, more so than the ensuing vintage. Drink 2012- 2035

This is definitely showing notes of evolution at this point. It is from a warmer vintage, and the character of the growing season comes through in the wine's spicy notes. There is clear warmth and generosity on display here, with soft, brambled fruits and cured leather. It's a lovely wine, still elegant and enjoyable, but in older wines the vintage differences become so much clearer, in a way that they don't necessarily when a wine is young, and this suffers from standing next to the 1996. Drinking Window 2019 - 2032
Tasted by Jane Anson (at Château Rauzan-Ségla vertical, 02 Apr 2019)
Part of Anson: Tasting every Château Rauzan-Ségla vintage from 1994 to 2018

Not far in maturity from the 1996, the 1995 Rauzan-Ségla is slightly richer and more foursquare, with chocolate black fruits, spice, and tobacco aromas and flavors. Rich, medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, and with still present tannins, it has more weight and richness but less complexity than the 1996. It too will continue drinking nicely for another decade or more.

This wine was consistently outstanding from cask, and I suspect it may eventually merit an even higher score, but it was totally closed when I saw it in November. Unfortunately, it was one of the few wines that I was only able to taste once after bottling. Nevertheless, it is a classic vin de garde, with a saturated ruby/purple color, and a tight but promising nose of sweet plum and cassis fruit intertwined with underbrush, vanillin, and licorice scents. The wine is ripe, medium to full-bodied, and rich, as well as unyielding, ferociously tannic, pure, and layered. The finish is extremely dry (sec, as the French would say), with a brooding angularity and toughness. In spite of this, my instincts suggest the requisite depth is present to balance out the structure. This effort will also require a decade of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025.