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Chateau Rauzan-Segla

2005
Blend
5% Cabernet Franc
54% Cabernet Sauvignon
39% Merlot
1% Petit Syrah
12% Press Wines
Country
France
Region
Bordeaux
Appellation
Margaux
UPC
0 15643 42792 3
Red Wine
Verified Stock
1692-05
Product Ratings
James Suckling 97pt

This is showing really well right now with an exuberance and richness that verges on extravagance. It's full body, firmly textured with a ripe and rich fruit too. So much berry, spice, chocolate and incense character. Love to drink it now but a long life ahead of it.

by James Suckling, 2015
Wine Advocate 95pt

Deep garnet in color, the 2005 Rauzan-Ségla sings of plum preserves, redcurrant jelly, raspberry pie, kirsch and blackcurrant cordial with nuances of dried lavender, rose hip tea, hoisin and incense. The medium to full-bodied palate is densely packed with rich, expansive black fruits with loads of incense and exotic spice sparks, finishing long and layered. Still quite youthful, I anticipate a long life ahead for this perfumed beauty!

by Wine Advocate, 2020
Wine Enthusiast 96pt

A wine with a beautiful mouthfeel and shape. This is rich, gleaming in the ripe black fruits, the touch of spice and mint, as well as the sweet blackberry flavors. The acidity is balanced, showing off the fruit. There is weight and density as well.

by Wine Enthusiast, 2008
Wine Spectator 97pt

Very beautiful aromas of crushed berry, flowers, currant and Indian spices follow through to a full body, with ultrafine tannins and a long, long finish. Extremely polished and beautiful, with a seamless texture.

by Wine Spectator, 2008

Vinification

Alcoholic fermentation: Alcoholic fermentations lasted 7 to 8 days. Soft pigeage
Pumping-over: twice a day, twice the volume of the vat
Temperature: 27.5°C maximum
Maceration: Turbopigeage in the best vats
Cuvaisons: (alcoholic fermentation + maceration) Merlot : 20 days Petit Verdot : 20 days Cabernet Sauvignon : 21 days Cabernet Franc : 19 days
Malolactic fermentation In vat, only a few wines had their malolactic fermentations in barrels
Ageing: 70 % new barrels for Chateau Rauzan-Segla - 15% new barrels for Segla

Vintage

The drought which we have known since 2003 persisted during the winter and deficit measured increased by 50 %. Despite this, it seems that many vines are not suffering and much as the plant seems to be adapting itself to more severe conditions. The bud burst started gently at the beginning of April. The first days of June gave a quick and homogeneous flowering thanks to the warm dry weather. The veraison was observed by the end of July but was slowed down by the dryness. Ideal weather conditions for the picking as well as for the progressive and perfect ripening of each grape variety.

Harvest

Exceptional ripening conditions leading to record levels of sugar and phenolic compounds in the skins. Due to the excellent weather conditions, the grapes were picked safely as they matured. Merlot : from 21/09 to 24/09 then from 27/09 to 28/09 Petit Verdot : September 29 Cabernet Franc : September 28 Cabernet Sauvignon : on September 28, 29 & 30 then from October 03 to 07. Entirely handpicked in 20 kilos boxes. The grapes arrive in the sorting room where each bunch will be carefully selected on a first 5 meters vibrating sorting table. After this first selection, each grape is mechanically removed from the stems. Only the berries arrive on the second 5 meters vibrating sorting table where they are controlled before entering in the vat by gravity. For this vintage we took our time and were able to be even more meticulous than usual really taking advantage of the sorting tables and competence of the people we have trained.