Chateau Rauzan Segla 2012

JEB DUNNUCK: "The brilliant 2012 Rauzan-Ségla is unquestionably one of the successes in the Médoc in 2012. Its still youthful ruby/purple color is followed by impressive notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, cedar, graphite, and some earthy, underbrush-like nuances. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and balanced, it builds with time in the glass and has plenty of tannins as well as length. While it offers pleasure today, it’s going to benefit from another 4-5 years of bottle age, and it should be long-lived."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Deep garnet in color, the 2012 Rauzan-Ségla reveals evolving notions of new leather, cigar box and stewed tea over a core of blackcurrant cordial, plum preserves and blueberry compote with touches of cumin seed and fenugreek. Medium-bodied, the palate has a lot of spritely zip with red fruit accents lifting the mature savory and spice notes, framed by grainy tannins, finishing with great tension."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "This was good in the barrel, but it’s so much better in the bottle with its complex nose of floral, black cherry, truffle, thyme and black plum aromas. Full bodied, rich and concentrated, with silky smooth tannins and freshness that lingers on your palate. Offered at a fair price, coupled with the ability to age and develop, if you like Margaux, this deserves a place in your cellar."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This firmly structured, beautifully crafted wine has a solid backdrop of tannins and plenty of concentration. Beyond that, it is already well balanced, bringing together its dark texture and blackberry fruit flavors with generous acidity. It needs to age, drink from 2020."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A full and silky wine with a slightly hollow center-palate now but it’s very pretty and chewy. Needs two or three years to soften. Very persistent and structured."

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Purpurgranat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer am Rand. 2012 war ein kühler Sommer, daher gibt es nur eine kleine Produktion. In der Nase sind die Röstaromen ein wenig bourgeoiser, dahinter zeigt sich ein zarter, leichtfüssiger Margaux, am Gaumen viel weniger konzentriert, aber mit Schmelz, unglaublich saftig und fleischig, gut ausgewogen, dem Jahrgang entsprechend eher gefällig. 17.5/20"

FALSTAFF: "Kräftiges Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, breitere Randaufhellung, reifes dunkles Waldbeerkonfit, ein Hauch von Kirschen, zart nach Dörrobst, etwas verhalten, Nougat klingt an. Rotbeerig, etwas sperrige Tannine, mittlere Komplexität, trocknet im Abgang etwas aus, braucht seine Zeit."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Racy and fresh with pure fruit and real Margaux silkiness. Real lift."

WINE SPECTATOR: "A toasty, fleshy style, with a cocoa note pulling and pushing the core of blackberry, black currant and plum fruit. Picks up more range through the finish, with black tea, alder and loam accents, boding well for cellaring. Best from 2016 through 2024. 8,750 cases made."