Rauzan Ségla 2016 biedt een onwezenlijke fraîcheur en de elegantie van Chanel... Hoe kan het ook anders als je weet dat beide huizen dezelfde eigenaar hebben? Hij is fijnbesnaard en doorweven met delicate densiteit, rijpheid en evenwicht. Het vleugje kirsch heeft kleur aan het smaakpalet en zachte chocolade verheft het geheel. De 2016 is een uiterst verleidelijke Grand Vin met classicisme en présence, complexiteit en, op de koop toe, een betoverende finale. We proefden onlangs de 1996 die na 21 jaar veel van die eigenschappen kan voorleggen. Dit is nochtans nog zoveel beter: wat een sublieme finale!
De 2016 is het tweede millésime onder de verantwoordelijkheid van Nicolas Audebert. Na de heerlijke 2015 is ook 2016 op niveau met een intens geparfumeerde neus van viooltjes, kersjes, zwarte bes en zoete kruiden. De aanval is zijdezacht en wordt ondersteund door die zuivere cassisaroma’s die zo kenmerkend zijn voor grote Cabernet Sauvignon. Hij is klassiek ingesteld en “svelte” met een “cool edge” rond de smakelijke, fruitige kern. Dit alles wordt verdergezet in een majestueuze finale met accenten van ceder en kruid. Rauzan Ségla is gedreven door precisie, verfijning en elegantie, eerder dan door brute kracht... Dit maakt deze excellente Margaux nog des te grootser!
68% Cabernet Sauvignon (geplukt 10 tot 15 oktober), 30% Merlot (20 september tot 4 oktober) en 2% Petit Verdot (7 tot 13 oktober). De Cabernet Franc (geplukt op 13 oktober) komt dit jaar niet in de Grand Vin. 45hl/ha en élevage 60% nieuwe eik.
IN DE PERS
97 Neal Martin – vinous.com (Januari 2019)
The 2016 Rauzan-Ségla has an intense bouquet, one of the most perfumed that I encountered during my round of tastings. Violets infuse the ebullient black fruit, and traces of pencil lead emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied, very pure and supple, displaying wonderful balance and a satiny texture that belongs in a lingerie shop. This is an utterly seductive Margaux, one of the finest in recent years as this estate continues its upsurge in quality. Few 2016s will dole out such inhibited pleasure. Drink 2022-2056.
95-97 Neal Martin – The Wine Advocate Issue #230 - robertparker.com (April 2017)
The 2016 Rauzan-Segla (Rausan-Segla) is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot picked between 20 September and 15 October at 45 hectoliters per hectare. The wine is being aged in 60% new oak for 18 months. It has 13.2% alcohol. It has a very powerful and intense bouquet with layers of blackberry, kirsch, cedar and a touch of mint. The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of fruit concentration: layers of ripe blackberry and boysenberry, segueing into what feels like a very spicy and peppery second half that seems to calm down and attain more nuance with aeration in the glass. It is a wonderful follow-up to the 2015 last year, although not quite with the same audacity and bravado. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink: 2022-2050.
97+ Antonio Galloni – vinous.com (Januari 2019)
The 2016 Rauzan-Ségla is simply stunning. Ample and generous in the glass, the 2016 is a positively stellar wine that will leave readers weak at the knees. The flavors and textures are generous as this sublime Margaux shows off its alluring personality. Sweet red cherry, plum, pomegranate, blood orange, spice and rose petal are some of the many notes that run through this absolutely exquisite wine. The 2016 is just as impressive from bottle as it was from barrel, maybe even more! Tasted three times. Drink 2026-2046. Sleeper of the Vintage.
94-97 Antonio Galloni – vinous.com (April 2017)
The 2016 Rauzan-Ségla is a more-than-worthy follow-up to the stellar 2015. The flavors are dark and boldly sketched, with stunning intensity to fill out the wine's vertical, soaring frame. A deep, complex wine, the 2016 Rauzan-Ségla is built to deliver pleasure for many decades to come. This is stunning, multi-dimensional wine of the highest level. Wow! Tasted four times.
97+ Lisa Perrotti-Brown - robertparker.com (December 2018)
The 2016 Rauzan-Segla (Rausan-Segla) is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot picked between 20 September and 15 October at 45 hectoliters per hectare. The wine is being aged in 60% new oak for 18 months. It has 13.2% alcohol. It has a very powerful and intense bouquet with layers of blackberry, kirsch, cedar and a touch of mint. The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of fruit concentration: layers of ripe blackberry and boysenberry, segueing into what feels like a very spicy and peppery second half that seems to calm down and attain more nuance with aeration in the glass. It is a wonderful follow-up to the 2015 last year, although not quite with the same audacity and bravado. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink: 2022-2050.
98 James Suckling – jamessuckling.com (December 2019)
The aromas of blackcurrants, sweet tobacco and sandalwood are tantalizing. Then it turns to subtle, dried fruit. Full- bodied with dense and powerful tannins, yet ending with finesse and vertical nature. Very deep. Power with finesse. Try after 2025.
98 James Suckling – jamessuckling.com (Maart 2017)
96-97 James Suckling – jamessuckling.com (Maart 2017)
A solid red with currant and blackberry character. Full body, soft tannins and a flavorful finish. Shows richness and excitement. Juicy and sexy undertone to this.
95 Jane Anson – decanter.com (April 2017)
This is a Rauzan-Ségla with a powerful, streamlined throb. The two Rauzan neighbours (Ségla and Gassies) give very different takes on the vintage and each has its own charm. This is sleek, poised and well controlled, demonstrating deep extraction with clear cassis notes. Nicolas Audbert takes more risks with the wine than his predecessor John Kolasa did, and the opulence, finesse and forward motion is clear. Big-framed for the vintage, this resembles the 2015, even the 2010, and is a wine for long ageing. Drink: 2027-2050.
98+ Jeb Dunnuck – jebdunnuck.com (Februari 2019)
The monumental 2016 Château Rauzan-Ségla is up with the crème de la creme in the vintage and is a brilliant, brilliant wine that readers should snatch up. Based on 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, all raised in 60% new French oak, it’s a powerful, full-bodied Margaux that has thrilling notes of crème de cassis, blueberries, spring flowers, new leather, and obvious minerality as well as a Château Margaux-like sandalwood and exotic floral quality. Deep, beautifully concentrated, and as seamless and elegant as it gets, it needs 4-5 years of bottle age (it’s brilliant even today) and will keep for 30+ years. Bravo!
98+ Jeb Dunnuck – jebdunnuck.com (Januari 2019)
I continue to love the 2016 Rauzan-Ségla, a thrillingly complete, flawlessly balanced, and borderline perfect Margaux that should be snatched up by readers. Notes of cassis, graphite, tobacco leaf, and earth all give way to a full-bodied effort that has building tannins, no hard edges, and a level of purity and elegance that’s just about off the charts. Given its purity and balance, it’s accessible today, but it will be best with 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 3-4 decades. Tasting date 5/1/2019 – Source 25 years of château Rauzan-Ségla.
18/20 Jancis Robinson - jancisrobinson.com (Februari 2020)
17/20 Jancis Robinson – jancisrobinson.com (April 2017)
Really lifted, savoury nose. Well mannered. Nothing out of step. Could do with a bit more acidity and drive? A bit too diplomatic on the palate? Drink: 2025-2045.
92-95 James Molesworth - Wine Spectator – winespectator.com (April 2017)
This has nice vivacity, featuring plum and cassis notes laced with bay, pepper, tobacco and iron accents. Stays fresh and racy through the finish. On the right track. With some added weight, this could move up.
94 Tim Atkin – timatkin.com (April 2017)
A wonderfully assured wine in 2016, this delivers the balance and complexity that we’ve grown to expect from Rauzan-Ségla. Grassy, elegant and hauntingly perfumed, with stylishly integrated oak, caressing tannins and scented red berry fruit. 2024-32
96-98 Jeff Leve – thewinecellarinsider.com (April 2017)
96-98 Roger Voss – wineenthusiast.com (April 2017)
95-96 Bettane & Desseauve (April 2017)
17,5-18/20 Revue des Vins de France (April 2017)
18/20 René Gabriel – WeinWisser (April 2017)
96 of 18/20 Jean-Marc Quarin – quarin.com (April 2017)
18/20 Jacques Dupont – Le Point (April 2017)
17-18,5/20 Gault & Millau (April 2017)
96 le figaro.fr (December 2023)
18/20 Le Figaro Vin (April 2017)
Rauzan SéglaRauzan Ségla is een sublieme Margaux Deuxième Grand Cru Classé. Zoveel is duidelijk. De wijngaard omvat 66 à 70 hectare Graves fines et profondes aangeplant met 62% Cabernet Sauvignon en 36% Merlot, aangevuld met Cabernet Franc en Petit Verdot. Hij is ondertussen gemiddeld 37 jaar oud in 2018. Na een erratische geschiedenis brachten de broers Wertheimer (de erfgenamen van modehuis Chanel) sinds 1994 dit mooie Château geleidelijk terug naar het allerhoogste echelon. De Schot John Kolasa, die eerder Latour bestuurde, deed dat tot in 2015. Sindsdien maakt wonderboy Nicolas Audebert er het mooie weer met de 2018 als voorlopig hoogtepunt. Maar alle recente jaren tonen zich vandaag uiterst verfijnd en succulent. Rauzan-Ségla, Palmer en Château Margaux is het trio dat de appellatie Margaux leidt. Hun schitterende tweede wijn Ségla vertegenwoordigt doorgaans de helft van de oogst.
AudebertNicolas Audebert is een wijnmaker van formaat en een tovenaar. Hij bouwde zijn carrière uit bij Champagne Krug en Cheval des Andes in Argentinië voordat de gebroeders Wertheimer hem aanstelden als opvolger van John Kolasa sinds 2015 op Château Canon, de Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, en Château Rauzan Ségla, Deuxième Grand Cru Classé Margaux. Zijn “coup d’essai” werd een “coup de maître”: zijn magische Canon 2015 is nu al de legende ingegaan. | 
