The first tasting of Château Rauzan-Ségla 2017
As a preview and like a scout before the famous Bordeaux Primeurs 2017 week, the Cavissima team was invited by the Château Rauzan-Ségla to discover the new wine of 2017 vintage. This is why he gives it a real thumbs up.
A special tasting of the 2017 vintage.
On Tuesday, March 20, 2017, a day of spring tides, I was invited to a preview tasting of the highly anticipated Château Rauzan-Ségla 2017My hosts are grumbling: the atmospheric pressure isn't conducive to a good tasting. It must be said that... the wine has just been blended It's only recently opened and still shows some instability. I'm the second visitor to have the privilege of tasting the wine at this stage! The wine will be even better in two weeks, when the week of... Bordeaux PrimeursCurrently, the samples taken from the drums located near the entrance of the aging cellar are cloudy, while those at the bottom of the cellar are noticeably clearer.
"If Rauzan-Ségla "It was a musical group, it would be a symphony orchestra."
The assembly at Château Rauzan-Ségla is a highly precise process that takes three months. The wine I'm offered for tasting is a 98% faithful reproduction of what the grand vin will be. Four barrels are still under consideration: the question to be decided is whether they should be included in the first wine. The blending of Rauzan-Ségla The 2017 vintage was finalized on March 10th; the process is complex, as it involves dealing with 70 batches plus 4 batches of press wines. Each week, Nicolas Audebert, assisted by his 4 lieutenants and Eric Boissenot, therenowned oenologist of the Médocwill attempt to forge the secret alloy from among its 74 batches. If Rauzan-Ségla was a musical group, it would be a symphony orchestra " explains Nicolas Audebert; attentive to ensuring that each element is heard. The goal is to extract the quintessence of the Rauzan terroir and its vintage. The goal is also to make a wine true to the spirit of the Château. To make a high-quality wine We strive to make gentle winemaking processes to which 14% press wine will be added.
A blend of excellent grape varieties
THE Rauzan-Ségla 2017 was produced at a rate of 62% of Cabernet-Sauvignon36% of Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Old Cabernet Franc vines could not be included in the blend; these are the only vineyards of the great wine Having been damaged by frost last April, the others, situated between 18 and 20 meters in altitude, were not affected by the deadly spring frost. Yields will have been reduced, as a rigorous sorting process was necessary to eliminate insufficiently healthy grapes. Château is in full organic conversion or nature and therefore voluntarily chose not to treat against botrytis at the risk of losing volume at harvest.
"The structure of the wine is remarkable"
The nose is particularly expressive for a new wineThis is surprising (and it's actually a good first point, because that was precisely the hallmark of the wines of the legendary 2016 vintageOne perceives an original cocktail composed of freshly picked red fruits, blackcurrant, pomegranate, smoke, and grapefruit. The palate is full and generous; a subtle tension provides structure and lends this wine elegance and finesse. The wine's structure is remarkable The wine is concentrated and perfectly balanced between its moderate alcohol level (13%) and its perceptible tension. The tannins are both invisible and present: the wine is velvety and immediately evokes the delightful sensation of almond milk on the tongue. The palate is luscious, appealing, generous, and wonderfully long. This wine is already built It's vibrant and evokes a certain emotion in me (#rareforanewwinemaker) – perhaps also because I'm one of the first to discover it. The finish is lingering. One sip invites another… This wine is delicious And obsessive… It could even be addictive!