Wines Margaux Château Rauzan-Ségla - 2024

Viniou Reviews

Château Rauzan-Ségla 2024 presents itself as a remarkable example of the Margaux appellation, shining as a Deuxième Cru Classé with a pedigree for elegance and complexity. This wine, produced from a blend primarily dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, balanced harmoniously with Merlot and a touch of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, reveals a modern vintage crafted with great care. The 2024 vintage is marked by a growing season that experienced moderate temperatures and well-timed rainfall, which preserved freshness and aromatic intensity. Grapes are hand-harvested before undergoing gentle extraction in temperature-controlled tanks, followed by élevage in French oak barrels, a portion of which are new, imparting additional finesse and layers of spicy notes.

Located on the left bank of the Gironde, the Margaux appellation is revered for its unique terroir—a mosaic of deep, well-drained gravel soils overlaying clay and limestone. This soil structure, combined with the tempered maritime climate of Bordeaux, produces grapes of great concentration while fostering the signature silkiness and aromatic lift of Margaux wines. Château Rauzan-Ségla’s long history, dating back to the 17th century, is reflected in the consistency and timeless style of its wines, which encapsulate both tradition and innovation.

For food pairings, Château Rauzan-Ségla 2024 calls for refined dishes that complement its structure and aromatic palette. Classic French cuisine such as roast rack of lamb with herb crust, tournedos Rossini, or even a duck breast with cherries will echo the wine’s subtle floral notes and ripe berry core. Regional pairings from the Médoc—such as entrecôte à la bordelaise, featuring a red wine and shallot reduction—are particularly fitting, as the local fare has long been crafted to showcase the region’s reds.

To enjoy this Margaux at its best, decanting for an hour will help its aromas to unfold, revealing cassis, violet, and understated oak. Serve at a temperature of 16-18°C, which will allow the wine’s finesse and layered complexity to shine through. While approachable in its youth with careful aeration, a few years of cellaring will reward patience and further develop the wine’s intrinsic elegance.