Chateau Rauzan-Segla 2017 Margaux, Bordeaux

I expected a lot out of this Second Growth wine, but I had to dig for it a bit before it revealed itself.  A little toasty, I think, with complex flavors behind.  I’d put it in the cellar for a few years to see if it charms me with age.

“93-95 Points.  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, RobertParker.com