2012 Rauzan Segla vs. 2012 Domaine de Chevalier

When I pulled the 2012 Rauzan Segla, I noticed the Domaine de Chevalier next to it had a scary low ullage for a 12 year old - very bottom of the neck. So I figured I'd open it too, assuming it would be shot. Nope, the cork was in good nick, no signs of leakage, and the wine was excellent. Maybe it had a low fill at the time of bottling. So they cheated me out of a few mL of wine...
Great opportunity to compare 2 wines from the same vintage and similar varietal composition, but different terroirs ~ 50km apart.

• 2012 Domaine de Chevalier 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  When I pulled a 2012 Rauzan Segla, I noticed this bottle had a worryingly low ullage, at the very bottom of the neck. So I decided to open it too, to see if it was salvageable. Cork looked just fine; no signs of seepage, and the wine was very good. Perhaps it had a low fill from day one.
  The wine is excellent, but I liked the Rauzan Segla better on day 1 as it was more distinctive. The 2012 DDC, which is 65% CS, 30% M, 5% PV, is like a fastball right down the middle of the plate. Textbook claret, with well judged oak aromatics, ripe blackberry fruit, ripe silky tannins, and good acidity. Quite elegant. Will follow and continue to compare to the Rauzan Segla for a few days.
  On day 2 I preferred the DDC! Vanilla, clove, an inviting sense of sweetness. It's so easy to like, while the Rauzan Segla took more effort to understand. On day 3 it has started going downhill, an oxidative note and some bitterness
  I continue to be happy with how 2012 bordeaux is showing today: unlike some of the more highly rated vintages like 2009 and 2010 that focus on big impact, this is very digestible and plays well with your meal. To me, bigger is often not better. As a bonus, the prices on release were especially affordable.

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• 2012 Château Rauzan-Ségla 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Consumed side by side with 2012 Domaine de Chevalier, which was very good, but Rauzan Segla was more interesting and distinctive. If DDC was a fastball down the middle, maybe this was a slurve. Makes me wonder, what would be the vinous equivalent of an Eephus pitch?
  54%CS, 44%M, 2%PV. Color is more red than purple, and despite 18 months in 70% new oak it doesn't smell at all oaky at first, although it does emerge a bit with time. Exceptionally deep flavor framed by truly mouthwatering acidity. Less perceived sweetness than the DDC, more savory and almost meaty. That graphite note I love is here in abundance. The tannins feel harmonious, so this drinks very well today. While the Wine Spectator note says "best from 2016 to 2024" that seems silly. It's got years of life ahead. Come on, this is Rauzan Segla.
  Will continue to follow and compare to the DDC for a few days. On day 2 I preferred the DDC. Although long and complex, this took more effort to understand as it seemed drier, sterner. A light balsamic note emerged. Held up well on day 3 and 4 - pretty much unchanged.

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2012 was not a "vintage of the century" but damn the wines are delicious right now. To me, they give more pleasure, at least today, than 2010s. And the prices were so consumer friendly. I paid $43 for the DDC, $48 for the Rauzan Segla. Doubt we'll ever see such prices again from those estates. All of the above applies to 2014 as well, but it's even better.