Margaux Grand Cru 2016 Chateau Rauzan Segla 750ml

Grapes: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot.
Region: France> Bordeaux> Haut-Medoc> Margaux.
Notes: 13.5% alc., 2nd Growth Grand Cru Classe, 18 months French Barrique (60% new), old vines, non-vegan.

Description: Founded in 1661 by Pierre de Rauzan, the estate was famously admired by Thomas Jefferson. Due to its major investments by the current owners, the Wertheimer family (the owners of Chanel), wine experts often refer to the wines as good as a 1st Growth Bordeaux estates in great vintages, like 2016. In 2015, the celebrated winemaker Nicolas Audebert took over management. Under his tenure, the estate has shifted toward earlier harvests and a fresher, highly sophisticated style that highlights pure fruit expression combined with terroir rather than over-extraction.

Even before the glass is swirled, the nose releases notes of black fruit, subtly uplifted by spice. This tonality is confirmed with cherry and blackberry notes on the palate, accentuated by pink peppercorn. With aeration the wine opens with scents of incense, roasted coffee, a touch of nutmeg and licorice root. The light fragrance of violets, the fresh scent of mint, and then, a taste of chocolate on the lips. The range is complex, built over a dense, tight and very precise body. There is no over ripeness and no heaviness, but a tautness throughout the wine’s evolution. The flesh is firm and taut, and the tannins are also very precise and polished.

Food pairings: Beef (braised, roasted, grilled), cheese (aged gouda, blue, camembert, etc), chocolate, currants, hamburgers, game meats, lamb (roasted, grilled), Moroccan spices, roasted veggies, lentils, liver, rosemary inspired dishes, mushroom dishes, etc.