Château Rauzan-Gassies 2015

A strong mint note gives way to soft plum and blackberry preserve flavors, ending with a veneer of mocha over the finish. Distinctive, but nowhere near in line with the success of the AOC in this vintage. Drink now through 2020. 6,667 cases made.

A carefully worked wine, clearly ripe blackberry fruit that has been well balanced with finely textured tannins. Lots of enjoyment in this Cabernet-dominant blend that plays to the strengths of the vintage—although there’s just a little too much evident oak on the finish, which prevents it from being as harmonious as it otherwise might be. Soft black fruits, autumnal in expression. 50% new oak and 8% press wine.

Ripe cassis and morello-cherry aromas pour from the glass. As seductive as the fruit of this wine is, there’s also serious concentration and a major tannin structure that means it packs quite a punch on the long, rather complex finish.

The 2015 Rauzan Gassies is powerful and rather rustic, with potent tannins that convey an impression of rusticity. Smoke, grilled herbs, licorice, scorched earth and wild cherry notes add to the wine’s brooding, virile personality. The 2015 could turn out to be a small jewel of a wine if it softens a bit with time in bottle. The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot.

Medium-bodied with tobacco and cassis at the forefront, this wine gives a strong, green olive sensation in the mouth, which subtracts from the overall experience. 88 - 90 Pts

Dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, subtle edge brightening. Delicate herbal savouriness, ripe dark berry confit, a hint of cassis and orange zest, tobacco nuances. Medium complexity, red berry touch, integrated tannins, ripe plums on the finish, mineral aftertaste.

Extremely deep purple with lilac and violet highlights. Cool bouquet, ranging from floral to herbal, with the potential fruit discreet in the background. On the palate, fleshy, showing edges and roughness, stumbling across the tongue. The potential is far higher than its class. Once again, a missed vintage. At least in that respect, Rauzan-Gassies is consistent.

Sharp, red-berried bouquet: raspberry, red cherry, chalk. Slim, firm palate with sandy tannins, light, sweet fruit, medium aromatics, bourgeois structure, dry finish. 16/20 2022 - 2032

pleasant on the palate, silky, well-integrated tannins, velvety. balanced. lovely mouthfeel. persistent on the nose as well as on the palate.

One of the softest Margaux of the vintage. It nonetheless offers a lovely fine-grained texture and a juicy balance on the palate, finishing fresh.

The nose is vegetal and the wine is supple, fluid, vegetal, with a bitter finish. It is not showing well at the moment.

Dark, intense, and beautiful color. A ripe-style fruity nose, moderately aromatic and reduced, which calls for decanting. Caressing on the attack, then slender on the palate, the wine develops juicy and pleasant on a medium body. It finishes structured with a slightly woody nuance, with good length.

Showing the richness of the vintage behind firm tannins, this wine is tough and solid at the moment although that will change as it matures. The hint of bitter over-extraction is the sole blemish on a wine that otherwise highlights the many improvements at this estate. Drink from 2025.

One of the highest Cabernet Sauvignons in the lineup, here with fully ripe fruit, lovely savoury grilled blackcurrant and bilberry character, with sage, white pepper and dried herbs. 50% new oak for ageing, Eric Boissenot consultant.