I love this wine and it totally stands up today, as it has done every time I've tasted it recently - it's pretty much the most drinkable vintage in this lineup. It's so balanced and deliciously elegant yet fleshy, still youthful and full of black pepper and saffron spices. The juicy, elegant fruits are full of flavour and are very much in the signature of Rauzan Ségla. The smoky edge just gets better and better in the glass, and gives it that gulpable sapidity. Harvested 28 September to 11 October, giving a yield of 46hl/ha. 50% new oak. Drinking Window 2019 - 2036
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

The 2001 Rauzan-Ségla shows a little more degradation on the rim, but the nose is fresher than the 2000, offering menthol-tinged black fruit, licorice and earthy scents. The palate is fresh and vibrant with a wonderful line of acidity. This was always snapping at the heels of the 2000 and now appears to have overtaken it in terms of depth and vigor. 12.5% alcohol.

Deep garnet-brick colored, the 2001 Rauzan-Ségla rolls out of the glass with open, expressive, mature notes of potpourri, star anise, incense and cigar box with a pretty core of kirsch, redcurrant jelly and dried figs. The light to medium-bodied palate delivers mature spice and dried berry layers with a light grip of chewy tannins and bags of freshness, finishing with a peppery kick.
The blend this year is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, harvested between September 28 and October 11 at an average yield of 46 hectoliters per hectare. It was aged for 18 months in French oak, 50% new. The alcohol is 12.5%. LPB

The 2001 Rauzan-Ségla is fully mature as well and has an evolved yet sweet bouquet of dried red and black fruits, weedy herbs, cedarwood, and earth. Medium-bodied, elegant, and completely resolved on the palate, it drops off slightly with time in the glass. I love its complexity, but I suspect it’s best enjoyed over the coming 4-6 years.

Quite dark crimson. Scented, really very aromatic and Margaux-ish. A little sweetness at the beginning. Heavier than some. Still quite a bit of chew.
JR - March 2012