Deep garnet in color, the 2004 Rauzan-Ségla opens with slightly broody, muted notions of damp soil, scorched earth and charcoal with an emerging core of stewed plums, baked cherries and warm cassis plus hints of menthol, wild sage and dusty soil. Medium-bodied and elegantly style in the mouth, it has lovely freshness and an earthy core with well-played chewy tannins and a good, long finish.
The blend this year is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, harvested between September 30 and October 16 at an average yield of 52 hectoliters per hectare. It was aged for 18 months in French oak, 50% new. The alcohol is 13%. LPB

The 2004 Rauzan-Ségla was picked September 30 to October 15. It has a deep garnet core with just the first signs of maturation on the rim. The nose is beginning to open up and welcome secondary aromas: hints of warm gravel and sandalwood infuse the black fruits that are very expressive considering the vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin. Like many 2004s, this Margaux cannot escape the feeling of conservatism that seems to be the leitmotif of this growing season. Yet it retains fine balance, fresh in the mouth with hints of brine and spice towards the structured, ever so slightly austere finish. Tasted at the Rauzan-Ségla vertical at the château.

This was the first year where there was a sorting table in the cellar - previously, sorting only took place in the vineyard. This is a good, fairly old-school, juicy and well balanced Margaux, with lots to enjoy but not as precise as the more recent vintages. There's an almost tarry richness through the mid-palate, although a slight medicinal edge suggests possible brett. Harvested between 30 September to 16 October. 52hl/ha yield. 2% Cabernet Franc rounds out the blend. 50% new oak. Drinking Window 2019 - 2038
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

Dark, pale rimmed red, still relatively youthful; cedar, undergrowth, early bouquet; nicely balanced, medium full wine, fresh and with a fine dry tannin; freshly ripe flavour, marked gravel aromas, long and crisp and savoury with excellent aromatic length; fine Margaux, which would benefit from another couple of years in bottle. 2016-30+ [M Schuster March 2014]

The 2004 Rauzan-Ségla showed well, and this has always been an understated, elegant vintage for Bordeaux. Notes of dried tobacco, lead pencil, currants, and macerated cherries all give way to a medium-bodied, fresh, fully mature 2004 that has notable elegance and purity. Drink it any time over the coming decade.

Light and a bit weak crimson. Balance is fine and this is super-refreshing. Confident and clean and brisk, but rather low key overall. Could it be Rauzan Ségla? Group favourite.
JR - March 2014