Rauzan Ségla 2014

This has a lightly firm singed alder frame, which works well with the core of dark currant and plum fruit, melding easily with a velvety back end that lets alluring black tea and anise notes emerge steadily. A bit flashy in style, but will certainly have fans. Best from 2019 through 2029. 9,167 cases made.

The nose has a floral character, violets, fragrant, bright and fresh fruited. Sweet in the middle there is depth of fruit richness fleshy and supple with rounded tannins. The back palate is fresher bright but the finish has depth, sweet fruit richness. 2026-38

This Chanel-owned property has produced a suitably stylish wine in 2014, but one that doesn’t sell at haute couture prices. In fact, it should be among the bargains of the vintage. Elegant, shimmering and silky, with balletic poise, mineral undertones and flavours of cassis, lead pencil and liquorice.

The 2014 Rauzan-Segla has a very pure, mineral-driven bouquet that could almost be from the Côte de Nuits! This is as refined as you will discover in Margaux. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, caressing and smooth in texture with well-judged acidity and fanning out with crushed strawberry, Morello and a touch of orange rind on the finish. It is not patch on the 2015 for sure, but it is a worthy forerunner. Drink date 2020 - 2045

The Château Rauzan-Ségla 2014 is a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc picked between 22 September until 16 October. It has a precise bouquet, nothing incredibly powerful with a touch of cold stone coming through with aeration. This is conservative even for this Margaux estate that usually keeps everything “controlled” out of barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannin, crisp acidity, tensile and linear with sappy black fruit towards the finish. I was just seeking more substance to come through on the finish – it just does not quite deliver that knock out blow. Drink: 2017 - 2032.

A powerful and dense Rauzan with firm and chewy tannins that are polished and direct. Full body, yet the acid and tannin tension gives the wine impressive length. Will develop wonderfully.

Tasted blind. Very dense and medicinal – a bit much for a Margaux but an ambitious wine. Slightly sour on the end, but good stuff.Drink 2024-2040

Dark crimson. Lifted and racy on the nose. Aérien, as they say. Quite ethereal. Far from heavy but sappy and appetising and well balanced. Really quite subtle. Attractively dry, but not drying, finish. Archetypal claret that lingers on the palate. The acid is only just not dominant, mind you. Drink 2023-2036