Château Rauzan-Gassies 2022

Herb-scented nose with cherries and tea; soft palate, ripe fruit, slightly drying tannins, good length, spicy finish. Pleasing development since the En Primeur tasting.

Dark chocolate, liquorice and bramble fruit on the nose. A little sombre right now, the fruit is cool but dark with not so overt acidity and quite filling tannins putting the emphasis on structure and heft rather than anything else. The tannins aren't too dry, so it doesn't feel over extracted, it's just that the energy and vibrancy is covered at the moment. Some hints of bitter chocolate, cola, crayon, liquorice and a feeling of alcohol emerges on the finish. Structured and long but I would have loved some more brightness at this point.

Very pretty blackberries and blackcurrants to this wine, with a hint of lead pencil. It’s medium-bodied with creamy and refined tannins and a polished finish. A Rauzan-Gassies that shows precision and focus, especially in this hot vintage. Drink after 2027 and beyond.

The 2022 Rauzan Gassies is an elegant, mid-weight Margaux. It's perhaps a bit ripe in this vintage but still classy. Dark-toned fruit, cloves, new leather and sweet spice are all nicely lifted throughout. Attractive floral overtones extend the finish. This will drink well with minimal cellaring.

Light, bright, fruity wine that delivers its early drinking, red berry, and chalky character with ease. This will be best in its youth. Drink from 2025-2030.

A great example of this estate, with silky tannins, lean and slightly reserved dark fruits, threaded with sage and spiced cumin notes. Hard to argue with, and it will offer relative value. Great job from the family here.

A serious, deep nose combining black fruits with delicate vanilla notes. The palate is creamy and velvety, reminiscent of a blueberry pie just out of the oven. A wine everyone will enjoy.

The nose is nicely driven, sappy and elegant. It reveals notes of spices, a peppery hint, notes of Boysen berry, small strawberry and, more subtly, Timut pepper, combined with touches of violet, as well as fine nuances of cornflower, tobacco and a delicate hint of clove. The palate is fruity, fresh, mineral, with a fresh backbone, tension, precision, suppleness and lovely minerality. It expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackcurrant, bright raspberry and, more lightly, cornflower, combined with touches of star anise and tobacco, as well as subtle nuances of camphor, racy minerality, iodized gravel, hints of cardamom and dark chocolate. There is also a touch of infusion, bergamot and a discreet hint of black spices in the background. Nice softness and chew on the finish/persistence.

Darker in color than ever. Intense, refined nose with ripe fruit. Delicate on the attack, very aromatic mid-palate, flavorful with a tannic touch never far away; the wine gains some fat between the mid-palate and the finish. Good length. Blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot. Alcohol: 15%. Yield: 29 hl/ha.

The 2022 Château Rauzan-Gassies checks in as a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot raised in 57% new barrels. Its inky ruby/plum hue is followed by an impressive nose of ripe black cherries, redcurrants, spicy oak, and flowery incense. This carries to a medium to full-bodied Margaux offering plenty of mid-palate depth, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. It's beautifully done and well worth seeking out. It's going to evolve gracefully over the coming two decades.