2006 Rauzan Ségla

93 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

A big, ripe chocolate-flavored wine with spice, new wood and a smooth, polished character. It is rich, with black currant jelly flavors, but this richness is balanced with a lively freshness and subtlety in its tannins. The finish is long, the flavors echoing the perfumes on the nose.

93 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

92-94 Barrel Sample Very juicy, full of ripe black currant fruits and with smoky flavors from new wood. Fresh and intense, excellent potential.

93 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

A good spring and summer were followed by light rains in autumn which slightly ruined the party, meaning this 2006 was pretty tannic in its youth, and you can still see its power and density. It's very Left Bank in feel, with classic signatures of complexity and freshness. It's impressive that it still feels pretty young and full of juice, and is a great food wine thanks to the blue brambly fruits that are full of elegance. 52hl/ha yield. 50% new oak.

92 POINTS

Robert Parker - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

On the same qualitative level as this estate’s brilliant 2005, but with slightly less sucrosite, this blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, exhibits a 1986-like personality ,a very successful vintage at Rauzan Segla. Its deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by sweet aromas of bay leaf, black currants, licorice, truffles, and a touch of toast, dazzling fruit, and plenty of ripe, but not astringent tannin. This is a medium to full-bodied, classic, pure, surprisingly approachable Rauzan Segla that will be at its finest between 2012-2025+.

92 POINTS

Robert Parker - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

A strong effort from this property situated across the street from Chateau Palmer, Rauzan-Segla’s harvest occurred between September 21 and October 7. Fifty-five percent of the production made it into the final blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot. A soft, classic style as well as ripe tannin suggest both the 1996 and 1986 vintages. The deep ruby/purple-tinged 2006 exhibits sweet, floral, black cherry, raspberry, and currant notes along with a subtle touch of menthol. Medium-bodied, elegant, pure, and surprisingly charming and approachable, it will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age, and should keep for 20-25 years.

92 POINTS

Neal Martin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London. The 2006 Château Rauzan-Ségla has a sous-bois and sandalwood-scented bouquet with a light "mahogany bureau" scent developing soon after. The nose is open and inviting. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and bestowed with greater fruit concentration than the nose suggests: blackberry, raspberry mixed with sage, cedar and a touch of sea salt. As usual, this Rauzan-Séglas has a surfeit of personality and while it might not be a contender for the longest-lived Margaux, it is the kind of Left Bank 2006 that you welcome at the dinner table. Tasted January 2016.

92 POINTS

James Suckling

Very pure fruit in this wine with flowers and red fruits such as raspberries on the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Attractive 2006 for drinking now or later.

Stephen Tanzer - Vinous

(53% cabernet sauvignon, 44% merlot and 3% petit verdot; a 55% selection) Bright red-ruby. Aromas of boysenberry, dark raspberry, cedar, minerals, toasty oak and naphtha. Broad, silky and quite dry, with firm acidity giving shape and energy to the understated berry and floral flavors. This has excellent backbone, but the firm tannins are in balance with the wine's material. Finishes with sneaky aromatic persistence.