Updated: Nov 17, 2022
Dark ruby with a tight garnet rim still. Bottle ageing for vintage 2008 Rauzan Segla has augmented its tertiary tones with a confident nose of floral, coolish menthol, liquorice, black cherry-plum fruit, truffle, thyme, and classy subtle wood tones. The palate is woody. Not too overpowered and overstructured, this bodied 2008 should drink quickly now. The bottle we tasted was slightly over-decanted. The wine should have more power.
Rauzan Seglas 2008 is well-liked by us because it won't break the bank and for the qualities:
Silky smooth tannins and freshness (premium fruit quality, sorting, parcel by parcel vinification, relatively low alcohol at 13.5% still despite higher merlot content used) that lingers on your palate and adds exceptional ripeness to it(higher merlot composition like 32%, the rest being Cabernet);
Vigorous mid-palate intensity good structure(increased to 10,000 vines per hectare, efficient drainage with a new drainage system, crop thinning, smaller vats);
Reasonable complexity integrated primary, secondary and tertiary tones(4 royal grapes by design);
Medium Power(vinification takes place at 35 Celsius for right extraction, malolactic fermentation in smaller vats for fixing even better fruit, the wine aged in an average 60% new, French oak barrels for between 18 months hence the richness)
93 points, James Suckling
Here is 2008 with a velvety texture, yet the underlying bright acidity comes through simultaneously. Medium to full body, firm and chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Very pretty and energetic. Just opening now. (6/2016)
93 points Wine Enthusiast(edited)
This powerful wine is big, rich, and almost velvet in texture. It has spicy blackberry fruits, layers of wood, and black plum skins. Powerful wine for long-term ageing and medium-term accessibility. *Cellar Selection* (RV) (4/2011). (Edited)
Intense, dark ruby with a tight rim. Classic Haut Medoc with a St Julien personality. Structured cru-level wine with a lifted acidity, and medium body, leading to an adequate length and texture. Dark-fruited, berried finish. 2 write-ups we can find:
GG91 in Chinese, '“即使在2007年較小的年份，在梅勞特家族（Chasse-Spleen，Citran等）的所有權下，卡門薩克（Camensac）分級生長的持續改善也是顯而易見的。該結構可與陳舊但堅實的黑莓果實很好地懸掛在一起，酸度為 純條紋，年齡超過4-5年。”- Gilbert & Gaillard 91分。
JM Quarin: "Purple color. Discreet and fruity nose. Medium-bodied mouth with slightly firm tannins in the persistence."
There is more elegance with 2007compared to 2006. Dark ruby garnet, solid core, violet reflections. Inviting black wild berry confit, a hint of violet and cassis, attractive bouquet. Juicy, delicate cherry fruit, velvety tannins, elegant and graceful, and medium complexity convey great drinking pleasure and further development potential.
Rightly put by Parker. et al., the 2007, RP90 'A beautiful wine of elegance and intensity, this medium-bodied, dark plum/purple-hued 2007 possesses a floral-infused bouquet, sweet, plush, red and black fruit flavours, and a lovely, silky texture. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.' Drink 2010-2022.' Edited.
