2016 Ségla, Margaux, Bordeaux
Critics reviews
The 2016 Ségla has a well-defined bouquet whose discreet rose petal and iris aromas lift the black cherry and blueberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and quite lively and spicy, leading into a slightly metallic finish, which I suspect will ebb with time. There is good length here. An elegant and quite persistent Margaux. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.
Drink 2021 - 2036
Neal Martin, vinous.com (Aug 2020)
The 2016 Ségla is sexy, racy and inviting, all qualities found in the Grand Vin, but naturally on a smaller scale. Silky tannins and soft, pliant, red-toned fruit all add to the wine's early appeal. There is so much to like in this expressive, open-knit second wine from Rauzan-Ségla. As always, Ségla is sold only in bottle (not en primeur) and offered to the market with a few years of bottle age, when the estate believes the wine is starting to drink well. Ségla is a blend taken mostly from satellite parcels, along with younger vine fruit from the château's core holdings.
Drink 2021 - 2031
Antonio Galloni, vinous.com (Jan 2019)
Tasted blind. Rich and rather opulent nose. Simple and easy with good refreshing raciness. Could be Rauzan-Ségla? Good and complete. Really zesty. Likely to be VGV.
Drink 2025 - 2045
Jancis Robinson MW, jancisrobinson.com (Feb 2020)
This is one of the most structured Séglas for a long time with full body, a solid core of fruit and firm, chewy tannins that are polished and focused. Tight at the end. Hazelnut finish. Drink in 2024.
James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
About this WINE
Chateau Rauzan-Segla
Château Rauzan-Ségla and Mouton Rothschild were considered the leading 2emé Cru Classé Bordeaux properties during the 19th century. However, while the fortunes of Mouton prospered in the 20th century, culminating in its elevation to 1er Cru status in 1973, Rauzan-Ségla`s reputation dwindled and a succession of disappointing wines were produced.
In the early 80s the Rauzan-Segla was sold and the renaissance began. The eminent Professor Peynaud was appointed as a consultant and the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend was increased, as was the proportion of new oak used in the maturation process. In 1986, a brand-new cuverie was built.
A succession of eye-catching wines were produced at Rauzan-Ségla in the mid to late 80s and early 1990s. Rauzan-Segla was bought by Chanel in 1994.
There are now 45 hectares of vineyards at Rauzan-Ségla and the grapes (63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc) are fermented in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks. The wine is then matured in barriques (60% new) for 18 months.
Margaux
If Pauillac can be seen as the bastion of ‘traditional’ Red Bordeaux, then Margaux represents its other facet in producing wines that are among Bordeaux’s most sensual and alluring. It is the largest commune in the Médoc, encompassing the communes of Cantenac, Soussans, Arsac and Labaude, in addition to Margaux itself. Located in the centre of the Haut-Médoc, Margaux is the closest of the important communes to the city of Bordeaux.
The soils in Margaux are the lightest and most gravelly of the Médoc, with some also containing a high percentage of sand. Vineyards located in Cantenac and Margaux make up the core of the appelation with the best vineyard sites being located on well-drained slopes, whose lighter soils give Margaux its deft touch and silky perfumes. Further away from the water, there is a greater clay content and the wines are less dramatically perfumed.
Margaux is the most diffuse of all the Médoc appelations with a reputation for scaling the heights with irreproachable wines such as Ch. Margaux and Ch. Palmer, but also plumbing the depths, with too many other châteaux not fulfilling their potential. There has been an upward shift in recent years, but the appellation cannot yet boast the reliability of St Julien. However, the finest Margaux are exquisitely perfumed and models of refinement and subtlety which have few parallels in Bordeaux.
Recommended Châteaux: Ch. Margaux, Ch. Palmer, Ch. Brane-Cantenac, Ch. Rauzan-Ségla , Ch. Dufort-Vivens, Ch. Ferrière, Ch. du Tertre, Ch. Giscours, Ch. d'Angludet.
Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Cabernet Sauvignon lends itself particularly well in blends with Merlot. This is actually the archetypal Bordeaux blend, though in different proportions in the sub-regions and sometimes topped up with Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
In the Médoc and Graves the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend can range from 95% (Mouton-Rothschild) to as low as 40%. It is particularly suited to the dry, warm, free- draining, gravel-rich soils and is responsible for the redolent cassis characteristics as well as the depth of colour, tannic structure and pronounced acidity of Médoc wines. However 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wines can be slightly hollow-tasting in the middle palate and Merlot with its generous, fleshy fruit flavours acts as a perfect foil by filling in this cavity.
In St-Emilion and Pomerol, the blends are Merlot dominated as Cabernet Sauvignon can struggle to ripen there - when it is included, it adds structure and body to the wine. Sassicaia is the most famous Bordeaux blend in Italy and has spawned many imitations, whereby the blend is now firmly established in the New World and particularly in California and Australia.
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Description
Perhaps one of the best value 'Second' wines on the market, Ségla does not disappoint in the great 2016 vintage. The nose is quintessential Margaux with lashings of blackcurrant, blueberry and cassis notes interwoven with rose petals, violets and cedarwood. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant and open with a pleasant mouth-feel which does not lack in concentration. The fruit is succulent and blends perfectly with the silky tannins. A super drinkable Ségla but allow a few years in bottle for it to really sing.
Drink 2022 – 2028+
Simon Herriot, Fine Wine Private Client Account Manager
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