Margaux - Chateau Rauzan-Segla 2018

The domain

The Château Rauzan-Ségla is a second growth of Margaux, in Bordeaux, as defined in the 1855 classification of Médocs and Graves. The wine of the same name is rich and concentrated, and is often considered one of the best second growths.

Cabernet Sauvignon makes up 62% of the 70-hectare (173-acre) vineyard, Merlot 36%, and a small amount of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot make up the rest. The soils are clay gravel on a Quaternary fluvial terrace with areas of deeper fine gravel.

The second wine, Ségla, is made in a more accessible style than the grand vin. It contains a greater proportion of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Since 1994 and its acquisition by fashion giant Chanel, quality has improved in Rauzan-Ségla. Machine harvesting was eliminated, and the vineyards began to be worked plot by plot. The grapes are sorted by hand and are aged in high quality sessile oak barrels. The great wine spends 18 months in oak with 60% new wood.