1999 Château Rauzan-Ségla
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Tasting notes
Magnum. Made five years after the Wertheimers bought the estate and made in the John Kolasa era. Semi-transparent ruby shading out to a pale rust rim. Very mellow perfume and then some slight sign of super-ripe grapes. Very charming and lifted – very Margaux and not exaggerated. But the tannins have almost faded. Impressively long and rewarding. (JR)
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1999 Rauzan-Ségla is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Medium to deep brick, the nose is fading slightly with coffee, old leather, tobacco and spice box notes on offer along with vague prunes and nutmeg notions. Medium-bodied with a decent core of mature fruit and a chewy texture, it finishes firmly and a little abruptly. Drink up!
Lots of spice, dried herbs, flowery incense, cedar, and assorted dark fruits emerge from the 1999 Rauzan-Ségla, which is built around 58% Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 40% Merlot and a splash of Petit Verdot. Fully mature, medium-bodied, nicely balanced, and elegant on the palate, this is drinking wonderfully today, and while it’s not going to improve, it will certainly hold nicely for another 7-8 years.
The 1999 Rauzan-Ségla is a modest success for the vintage. The bouquet offers raspberry, sage and light mint aromas, simple and perhaps less "ambitious" than the 1998. The palate is well balanced and quite firm and stocky, not a Margaux with finesse but showing decent length. I doubt that it will improve with further bottle age, yet you would welcome it appearing on your dinner table. Perhaps destined to remain overshadowed by vintages on either side. Tasted from a bottle from my own cellar.
About the producer
The Chanel group purchased Margaux Second Growth Ch. Rauzan-Ségla in 1994. Under the iconic fashion house’s ownership and – since 2014 – the guidance of winemaker Nicolas Audebert, the estate has seen significant investment and rapidly become one of Bordeaux’s most desirable.