Aromas of blueberries and blackberries with walnuts and hints of tar that follow through to a medium to full body with plush and velvety tannins and a lovely, caressing mouthfeel. It closes up at the end. Extremely long, pure and structured. Classic 72% cabernet sauvignon, 26% merlot and 2% petit verdot. From organically grown grapes. Give this at least until after 2030 to open and come around.

The 2022 from Rauzan-Ségla is 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Merlot, with a 2% splash of Petit Verdot. I find a rather classy nose here, with finely poised dark fruits, swirled with tobacco, toast, crushed chalk, liquorice and tar, nuanced with white flowers, the floral element strongly evident and setting it apart from many of its peers at this stage. A very finely poised palate follows the lead of the nose, with dark and fragrant fruits, fresh with notes of tar and liquorice, draped over a frame of brooding and finely grained tannins. This is a brilliantly composed Rauzan-Ségla, with a more light-footed frame than the nose suggests, but with dark substance and a long finish of integrated and powdery grip. An impressive wine built for the long haul.

Gorgeously fragranced on the nose with perfumed black fruits and pink flowers - smells very Margaux. Clean and crisp, a beautiful precision from the start with ripe and rich fruit but cool fresh acidity and sleek, fine tannins. A little shy, still compact and tightly knitted, but lovely detail, so well worked, almost delicate but there's still quite fleshy, plush fruit. Excellent concentration but delivered with an easy sleight of hand, expanding with time in the glass. Glamorous, scented, inviting, deep and seductive. A brilliant and totally moreish wine. Yield of 30hl/ha. 3.7pH. 17% press wine. Harvest 2-28 September. Ageing in French oak for 14-16 months, 15% new. In organic conversion. Tasted twice. (GH)