Chateau Rauzan-Segla Margaux 2001 750ml

I love this wine and it totally stands up today, as it has done every time I’ve tasted it recently – it’s pretty much the most drinkable vintage in this lineup. It’s so balanced and deliciously elegant yet fleshy, still youthful and full of black pepper and saffron spices. The juicy, elegant fruits are full of flavour and are very much in the signature of Rauzan Ségla. The smoky edge just gets better and better in the glass, and gives it that gulpable sapidity. Harvested 28 September to 11 October, giving a yield of 46hl/ha. 50% new oak.

• Country: France
• Region: Bordeaux
• Appellation: Margaux
• Size: 750ml
• Color: Red

Varietal

Red Bordeaux

There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world’s finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six ‘official’ Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act ”“ the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.