The aromas of blackcurrants, sweet tobacco and sandalwood are tantalizing. Then it turns to subtle, dried fruit. Full-bodied with dense and powerful tannins, yet ending with finesse and vertical nature. Very deep. Power with finesse.

A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Rauzan-Segla is deep garnet in color, with a touch of purple. It needs a lot of swirling to wake up profound scents of crème de cassis, black cherry compote, and plum pudding, followed by nuances of cumin, unsmoked cigars, star anise, and black truffles. The medium-bodied palate delivers a firm backbone of super-ripe, grainy tannins and a refreshing line to cut through the dense, muscular black fruits, finishing long and opulent. It still needs some time, but WOW! (LPB) 98+

Structured and elegant, this starts slowly, and is clearly still young at this point, with firm tannins giving a slow-release to the blackberry and cassis fruits, laced with mint, black tea, cumin and liqourice. Getting even better as it ages, this has decades ahead of it. This first wine comes almost entirely from plots on Terrace 4, a wide, clay-rich strip of gravel. 3/6ph, 45hl/h yield, 60% new oak, harvest September 20 to October 15. Nicolas Audbert director.