May 21, 2024 - A tale of two second growth second label Rauzan (sort of). I pitted this wine against a 2015 Rauzan-Segla “Segla” just for fun, although the two are very different wines with the Segla being a Margaux second label and this wine being Merlot dominant haut-medoc label by Rauzan-Gassies. Both were slow-oxed in bottle for about 6 hours and both tip the scale at a weighty 14.5% alc/vol.
This wine had a bit more of a right bank nose and a dark purple/red appearance with clear to dark red rims. The palate was well balanced with fruit/tannin/acidity and pretty well integrated at this point in time. The fruit is quite rich and dense - I get plums, darker fruits, some earth and a bit of iron/blood oranges on the finish. The depth and concentration here, with a decently long finish, suggest fruit sourced of a very decent pedigree and certainly punching way above its CAD $36.95 price point at LCBO in Toronto.
I will comment on the “Segla” separately under its own wine ratings, but with the Segla at a CAD$77.95 price point, I would say the clear winner is the 2016 l’Orme de Rauzan-Gassies on a quality-to-price ratio, if not even straight head-to-head. Great value and well made for what it is.
Both of these wines were better enjoyed with food - for me this was mixed charcuterie (Bresaola, strong la Sauvagine cheese, etc). Also got more enjoyable brought down to cellar temperature after opening up for 5-6 hours to breathe, it took heat out of the higher alcohol and put more focus back to the wines’ structure. One of the biggest mistakes we usually make is drinking our good whites too cold and our good red wines too warm.
Lovely wine for the price and strongly recommend.
May 13, 2024 - Nice nose, some tannins, smoothing out though, a nice find for the price point
May 9, 2024 - This was a nice dark bodied red, full and with medium tannins. The fruit had some nice dark cherries, wild blackberries and some plums hint of smoke. At this price point good to add to the cellar will do some myself.
March 30, 2024 - 66% Merlot & 34% Cab. It has some sediment, so it's best to decant 90 min before serving.
Medium (-) aromas of perfume, tobacco, vanilla, smoke, red plum, and a hint of barnyard.
The acidity is medium (+), which creates a juicy taste of red plum, subtle yet ripe blueberry, vanilla, smoke, iron, and salt. The finish of the wine is medium (-).
It is a good one to pair with food & cheese.
March 20, 2024 - Smoky currant, olive, marmite, integrated toast and bitter chocolate nose. Smoky, spicy, savoury and palate. Weighty but well-balanced with a long, smoky finish.
4.5/5
December 16, 2023 - Went well with Italian sauce and pasta
October 22, 2023 - Dense, dark ruby color.
Nose is both earthy and fruit laden with aromas of blackberry, bramble, plum, wet earth and forest floor, barnyard, dried porcini mushrooms, and a touch of something gamey like roasted lamb shoulder. Still youthful but showing interesting tertiary elements.
On the palate the wine is round and full with medium acidity and svelte chalky tannins. Lots of grip and a long, complex finish. I wish I had more of this to lay down for a while. Punches way above its weight.
July 26, 2023 - This is going to be amazing, especially for the price, in a couple years. Hold it!
July 16, 2023 - - Brick color.
July 9, 2023 - Well balanced between fruit and tanin, dry and relatively complex. Drinking well now.