The aromatic expression and finesse of a Margaux red wine
The estate
Monsieur de Rauzan acquired the seigniory and vines at the beginning of the reign of Louis XIV. Thanks to his wine-making expertise, he transformed Château Rauzan-Gassies into one of the greatest of the Second Growths in the Margaux appellation, in the Bordeaux region. The property currently belongs to the Quié family.
The vineyard
Château Rauzan-Gassies reigns over a vineyard made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
The wine
Château Rauzan-Gassies 2015 is a Margaux wine that stems from a 28-hectare vineyard. The vines are 30 years old on average and are planted on deep gravel and gravelly sand.
Vinification and ageing
The grapes are harvested by hand and vinified in stainless steel vats. The temperature-controlled fermentation is accompanied by daily pumping over. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in barrels and vats. The wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.
The 2015 Rauzan Gassies...having visited the property last year, I was yearning to like this Margaux, but contrasted against its peers, it clearly falls short in terms of fruit concentration on the lean and leafy nose. The palate is better with more weight and body than recent vintages, dried herbs and spice on the entry, dark berry fruit tinged with cola and a healthy pinch of white pepper on the finish. If the aromatics can raise their game and meet the quality of the palate, then this will be a fine Margaux. Let's see what happens during its barrel maturation.