The 2019 Rauzan-Ségla is a wine that I did not taste en primeur. Picked from September 12 to October 9 and matured in 60% new oak, it has a gorgeous, seductive bouquet of pure blackberry, bilberry, crushed iris petals and just a hint of licorice. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and good cohesion and depth. The oak is seamlessly integrated on the finish, which lingers like a temptress. Two samples tasted, the second demonstrating a little more salinity on the aftertaste. This will be irresistible.

The black fruits burrow downwards through the palate at first, keeping things pretty closed, everything holding its breath, before the fruit opens. There is the precision of Rauzan Ségla that is reminiscent of the 2016, less of the immediate voluptuous impact of 2018 but the density becomes extremely clear in the glass. A serious Rauzan, cassis and cedar, still with a rinse of iris flowers to give it the Margaux touch. 3.73pH. 50/50 1st and 2nd wine. A yield of 42l/ha.
Tasted by Jane Anson (at Bordeaux, 09 Jun 2020)
Part of Best Margaux 2019 wines tasted en primeur

The 2019 Rauzan-Ségla has turned out brilliantly, unwinding in the glass with fragrant aromas of cassis, blackberries, violets, rose petals and sweet soil tones. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and concentrated, it's deep and layered, with beautifully refined tannins, lively acids and a long, perfumed finish. This is a sensual, elegant Rauzan-Ségla from Nicolas Audebert and his team.

The 2019 Ségla is absolutely gorgeous. Bright and effusive in the glass, with gorgeous aromatic presence, the 2019 impresses with its freshness, vivacity and energy. Crushed red berry fruit and sweet floral accents lend finesse throughout. The 2019 is lithe, elegant and classy from start to finish.

62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35.5% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc. Deep youthful crimson. Intense dark fruit, really dark, like rocks, savoury. Dry, refined tannins. Enough freshness though this is not its main feature, which is dark restraint. (JH)

Tasted blind. Sweet, inky start that seems to lack a bit of fundament. Box-ticking rather than thrilling, with a bit of alcohol on the end. Not too weak, but it has yet to build up real interest. But others enjoyed it more than me. (JR)