Chateau Rauzan Segla   Chateau Rauzan Segla

2003 Chateau Rauzan-Segla

By Chateau Rauzan-Segla

2003 Chateau Rauzan-Segla from Chateau Rauzan-Segla, Margaux, Bordeaux

The 2003 vintage in Bordeaux was a year that divided opinion due to its climatic extremities, but nonetheless, it produced wines of commanding presence and fascinating complexity. Creating such serendipity under the duress of scorching heat, the 2003 Chateau Rauzan-Segla from Chateau Rauzan-Segla stands as a testament to the esoteric art of winemaking.

 

Distinct Attributes of the Vintage

Margaux's terroir is revered for its ability to produce wines with an iron fist in a velvet glove, and the 2003 vintage is no exception. Magnifying its distinctive character, it lasted as a warm memory on the palate, evidence of the fierce summer heat that defined this vintage. It exhibited an ampleness well beyond what one might expect from a Margaux - firm tannins setting the stage for a sensory dance that unfurled layers of blackcurrant, dried cherries, and hints of truffle through to a lingering finish.

On the nose, there is an intoxicating array of aromas: worn leather armchairs hint at the wine's maturity; while wafts of cigar box are intertwined with violets, reinforcing its aristocratic breeding. In this vintage particularly, there's a delightful tension between ripe fruit expression and the more savoury, earthy notes coming to the fore.

 

An Exemplary Investment Selection

For the savvy investor looking at fine wine as an asset class, the 2003 Chateau Rauzan-Segla presents an interesting proposition. It articulates its story not just through its alluring bouquet and rich flavour profile but through its resilience in a challenging vintage. Its robust structure and mature complexity distinguish it in any diversified portfolio of Bordeaux wines.

In summation, this wine embodies not just an exceptional vintage but also stands as a beacon of Margaux's ability to transcend typical vintage expectations with grace. The 2003 Chateau Rauzan-Segla from Chateau Rauzan-Segla enriches investment palates with its venerable allure, offering both a bastion of quality and a touchstone for the remarkable narrative of this extraordinary year.

Market price (HKD)

HK$8,230.00

12x75cl

Highest score

91

POP score

78.18

Scores and tasting notes

91

Deep garnet-brick colored, the 2003 Rauzan-Ségla reveals notes of espresso, cigar box, sandalwood and leather over a core of raisin cake, prunes and potpourri. Medium to full-bodied, the palate possesses a lot of mature fruit with a chewy frame and compelling herbal sparks that come through on the long finish. The blend this year is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, harvested between September 4th and 22nd at an average yield of 30 hectoliters per hectare. It was aged for 18 months in French oak, 55% new. The alcohol is 12.5%.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 9 April 2020

Vintage performance