Château Rauzan-Ségla 1989 is a magnificent red wine from the renowned Margaux appellation in Bordeaux’s Médoc region. Crafted predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon, with supporting Merlot and small portions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this wine exemplifies the traditional blend of the Left Bank. The 1989 vintage benefited from an excellent growing season, resulting in ripe, concentrated fruit and remarkable age-worthiness. The gravelly soils of the Margaux terroir allow for perfect drainage and encourage deep root systems, yielding wines of elegance and structure. Vinification at Rauzan-Ségla relies on meticulous grape selection, gentle extraction, and ageing in French oak barrels, ensuring that the wine develops complexity and graceful tannins over time.
Margaux is synonymous with finesse and aromatic complexity, often considered the most perfumed and subtle of the Médoc communes. The region’s temperate maritime climate, tempered by the proximity of the Gironde estuary, provides the ideal conditions for slow ripening, preserving acidity and aromatic delicacy. The gravelly soils are particularly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, imparting an unmistakable mineral freshness. Historically, Margaux has been celebrated since the 18th century for producing wines that offer both power and refinement, perfectly illustrated by Rauzan-Ségla’s longstanding reputation among the great châteaux of Bordeaux.
With the maturity of the 1989 vintage, this Rauzan-Ségla shimmers with aromas of dried blackcurrant, cedarwood, tobacco, sous-bois, and subtle floral notes. Its silky texture and resolved tannins make it a versatile partner at the table. Roasted lamb with herbs, duck breast with red berry sauce, or classic entrecôte Bordelaise highlight the wine’s savoury character. Traditional dishes from the South-West of France, such as confit de canard and wild mushroom fricassée, also create superb harmony with its evolved flavours.
To appreciate its full complexity, serve this Margaux at 17-18°C. Allow gentle decanting to separate any sediment and let the bouquet unfold. This is a wine to savour slowly, contemplating both its noble provenance and remarkable ageing potential.
