The 2008 Rauzan-Segla (62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot) was made from 45% of the production. It is a beautiful wine in this vintage, not nearly as powerful and structured as the 2010, but it has complex notes of sweet red and black fruits, unsmoked cigar tobacco, spice box and a hint of very subtle wood. The complex perfume is followed by a dark ruby/plum-colored wine with beautifully sweet tannins, a silky, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, and a long finish. This outstanding Margaux should drink nicely for 15-20 years.
The 2008 Rauzan-Ségla, a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot, is just beginning to show signs of maturity in the glass. The bouquet has always been a little conservative and foursquare in my opinion, as if the Merlot needs to “gee up” and impart more opulence and fruité. There is a light earthy scent, and a touch of warm brick infusing the dark berry fruit, but it does not quite “billow” as you would like a Margaux wine to do. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, a fine line of acidity, truffle tinged red berry fruit laced with mocha and leather. This is showing more secondary notes towards the finish, but I would still afford it maybe another year or two in bottle. (Tasted at the château and at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual vertical tasting.) - vinous.com, February 2018
Here is 2008 with a velvety texture yet the underlying bright acidity comes through at the same time. Medium to full body, firm and chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Very pretty and energetic. Just opening now.
Floral and violets on the nose and palate, followed by milk chocolate and sweet spice on the finish. Has a sense of delicacy, yet is intense and flavoursome too. A great example of the Margaux perfume.
Richard Hemming MW - Feb 2018
With a shifting in color to show its maturity, the wine opens with tobacco, cedar, herbs, Christmas spice and forest notes to accompany the red fruits. Medium/full bodied, with a classic leaning, the tannins are just starting to soften. The fruit is a bit strict on the palate at this moment. In time, perhaps, 5-8 years, the wine should develop softer textures, along with more aromatic complexity. Tasted Sept 2018
The 2008 Rauzan-Ségla is a solid vintage and is still relatively youthful, yet it’s certainly drinking nicely. A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot, it has a cooler, black-fruited, menthol, and tobacco-driven bouquet as well as medium to full body, still present tannins, considerable elegance, and outstanding length. Overall it’s a pretty, well-balanced 2008 that’s going to continue evolving for another 15-20 years.
A cool summer and a beautiful autumn resulted in the grapes being left on the vines for a long time to fully ripen, with picking commencing in October. Packed full of Médoc character, this has cedar, menthol, leather and cigar box notes - a brilliant lesson in classic Bordeaux. It's extremely approachable and drinkable, and is showing some walnut character already, softened around the edges with lovely smoky notes and gourmet touches, and a mouthwatering, minty sign off with juicy lift on the finish. It should stay on this plateau for a long while yet. Harvest ran from 2 to 21 October with a high yield of 47hl/ha. 60% 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
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