Château Rauzan-Gassies 2024

Once again this year it shows a certain rusticity; on the palate it lacks harmony, with structure and fruit feeling disconnected, very astringent, and with drying tannins that dominate the red-fruited finish.

Ripe, perfumed aromatics on the nose, smelling a touch opulent. A burst of blue-fruit acidity before it turns extremely tannic, with cedar, liquorice, leather and savoury herbal elements. It turns a little dry towards the finish, but there’s clever, if quite confident and bold, construction.

73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot. Cask sample. Dark-berry aromas. Juicy attack, then lots of dry extract. Tight and chewy on the finish. Extraction appears a little pushed. Drying finish. Where’s the Margaux elegance? (JL)

Mint, tobacco, cedar, flowers, red currants, and spice pop on the nose. The palate is vibrant, spicy, juicy, crisp, with a strong kick of spearmint on the mid-palate and in the refreshing finish. The wine blends 73% Cabernet Sauvignon with 27% Merlot, 13% ABV. Harvesting took place September 24 - October 7. Drink from 2028-2040. 90-92 pts

A nose with smoky, animal accents, evoking grilled bacon. The smoky, toasty register carries through on the palate, delivering a fleshy, opulent expression that is deliciously indulgent, with dense, deep substance, full of intensity and character, and floral accents [that flutter rustle / on the finish].

The nose is elegant, precise and deep, with intensity and aromatic concentration. It reveals notes of wild blackcurrant, concentrated wild red berries and, more subtly, bigarreau cherry, together with fine touches of bright blueberry, hints of cherry blossom and licorice, and almost discreetly, black olive. The palate is beautifully crafted, fruity, fresh, elegant and racy. It offers lovely finesse and texture within its concentration, with great accuracy and precision. On the palate, this wine shows notes of pulpy wild blackcurrant, concentrated small fruits and, more lightly, cornflower, combined with touches of elegantly roasted small fruits, a hint of blueberry, as well as a discreet touch of graphene and cocoa nibs. A hint of cocoa in the background. Good length and definition. A velvety, airy, supple wine that offers beautiful fineness of grain and aromatic depth/density. The tannins are racy, taut and finely sappy/eucalyptus.