2000 Château Rauzan-Ségla

The 2000 Rauzan-Ségla is deep in color. The bouquet is similar to the bottle poured a couple of years ago, featuring blueberry and Provençal herbs, the secondary and primary scents commingling to wonderful effect. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and tarry black fruit, and quite structured and fresh, leading to a grippy, saline finish. A redoubtable, almost swarthy Margaux that should drink well for another 20 years or more. Superb. (NM)

Deep brick in color, the 2000 Rauzan-Ségla gives a mature nose of sandalwood, sweaty leather, cinnamon stick and star anise with wafts of raisin cake, dried cherries and preserved plums. Medium-bodied with a chewy texture and a good amount of remaining dried berries and savory layers, it finishes just a little rustic. The blend this year is 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, harvested between September 22 and October 6 at an average yield of 37 hectoliters per hectare. It was aged for 18 months in French oak, 60% new. The alcohol is 13%.

I loved the 2000 Rauzan-Ségla, another mature yet balanced wine that shows the hallmark complexity and elegance of the estate. Beautiful currants, strawberries, lead pencil, and spice notes give way to a medium to full-bodied wine that has a layered texture, resolved tannins, and good mid-palate depth. I love its complexity, its seamless texture, and its great finish. This is a beautiful 2000 that’s drinking at point today yet will easily keep for another two decades.