2017 Chateau Rauzan-Segla
By Chateau Rauzan-Segla
2017 Chateau Rauzan-Segla from Chateau Rauzan-Segla, Margaux, Bordeaux
The 2017 vintage in Bordeaux was a marathon of climatic challenges, yet amidst this backdrop, Chateau Rauzan-Segla produced an offering that speaks eloquently of resilience and finesse. As one delves into the complexities of the 2017 Chateau Rauzan-Segla, it is imperative to doff one's cap to the alchemy that turned potential adversity into a liquid treasure.
Perseverance and Precision: A Testament to Craftsmanship
With unwelcome frost nipping at the heels of spring, vintners at Chateau Rauzan-Segla had their mettle tested. However, their devotion to exacting selection and a curated approach to viticulture bore fruit—quite literally—with a yield that reverberates with quality over quantity. The precision in vineyard management ensured only the best grapes reached the haloed halls of production.
An Oenological Odyssey: The Vintage's Signature
The hallmark of the 2017 vintage, particularly for the Margaux commune, lies in its sophisticated balance—a symphony conducted by cool fruit undertones gracing a structured composition. In this iteration from Chateau Rauzan-Segla, one finds a masterful display of deep cassis and blackberry nuances wrapped in a velvety sheath of tannins. Amidst these are punctuations of violet and subtle cedar, remnants of an expertly conducted élevage.
The 2017 Chateau Rauzan-Segla showcases an enticing blend of vibrancy and depth, absent the weightiness that might shroud less deftly crafted Bordeaux in such a challenging year. Moreover, it’s a testament to how refined winemaking can triumph over temperamental weather patterns to produce a wine imbued with elegance and cellaring potential—a riveting prospect for fine wine investors.
A Conclusion as Impeccable as the Wine Itself
In the grand tableau of Bordeaux vintages, the 2017 Chateau Rauzan-Segla stands out from Chateau Rauzan-Segla as an articulately scripted narrative—one where every character serves its purpose and elevates the plot to an applaudable event. Its sophisticated poise not only entertains the palates immediately but also heralds promise for decades under proper cellar conditions. It is a connoisseur’s collectible, perfectly aligned with the investment-savvy oenophile seeking an impressive addition to their portfolio.
Current market price
£500.00
12x75cl
Highest score
95
POP score
33.33
Scores and tasting notes
This is tight and focused with a super precise palate of blackberries, blackcurrants and hints of flowers. Full body, linear tannins and a long finish.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com
Composed of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot and sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2017 Rauzan-Segla (Rausan-Segla) has a profound nose of cassis, warm blackberries and black plums with touches of baking spices, violets, mocha and smoke plus a waft of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied with a great core of sustained, energetic black fruit, a frame of fine-grained tannins and a lively backbone, it finishes with great length.
Wine Advocate - Lisa Perrotti-Brown - robertparker.com
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Rauzan-Ségla leaps from the glass with fragrant exotic spices and dried herbs over a core of blackberries, warm cassis and redcurrant jelly with hints of lavender and crushed stones. Medium-bodied, fine, fresh and elegant, it has soft, fine-grained tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing with an herbal lift. The blend this year is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, harvested between September 12th and October 2nd at an average yield of 40 hectoliters per hectare. It was aged for 18 months in French oak, 60% new. The alcohol is 13.2%, and the pH is 3.68.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 9 April 2020
Fresh, showing damson plum and bitter cherry fruit laced with a savory streak and boasting a bright iron note, this has a mouthwatering edge thanks to the acidity, which creates a very refined structure for this elegant red.—J.M.
Wine Spectator - James Molesworth - winespectator.com
The 2017 Rauzan-Ségla is matured in 50% new oak with 14% vin de presse, which was apparently from the high quality Cabernet this year. It has a fascinating bouquet with pure blackberry, iris, crushed stone and a light estuarine influence that becomes stronger with aeration, just a faint touch of oyster shell developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, crisp acidity, very elegant and refined, possibly the most feminine Rauzan-Ségla in recent years with a silky smooth finish. It is not the instant showstopper like the 2015 – this is more understated and needs time for its quality to be fully appreciated. Tasted on three occasions.
Neal Martin - Neal Martin - vinous.com - May '18
The 2017 Rauzan-Ségla is a fleshy, seductive wine. Soft contours and ripe silky tannins add to the wine's immediacy and sheer appeal. The viticultural and winemaking team has succeeded in adding finesse and detail to the Grand Vin without altering its classic sense of structure and proportion. A vertical explosion of fruit laced with expressive floral notes build into the finish in a classy, understated Margaux that hits all the right notes. Hints of tobacco, crushed flowers, leather, licorice and dried cherry add the closing shades of nuance. What a gorgeous wine this is. Tasted three times.
Antonio Galloni - Antonio Galloni - vinous.com - May '18
The medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Segla (a blend of 50.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Cabernet Franc) opens with fresh red and black currants, black raspberries and a touch of Provence herbs with hints of pencil lead and dusty soil plus a waft of spice box. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine, accessible tannins, great freshness and vibrant fruit, with a lively peppery lift on the finish.
Wine Advocate - Lisa Perrotti-Brown - robertparker.com