Rauzan-Ségla Margaux 2018

99 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Reminding me of the 2016, the 2018 Château Rauzan-Segla reveals this beautifully fresh, complex bouquet that still has serious richness and depth. Based on 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, raised in 65% new barrels, it offers a dense purple hue to go with gorgeous notes of blackcurrants, spring flowers, cigar wrapper, and sandalwood. A quintessential Margaux with its spicy, complex, floral character, it's full-bodied and has a supple, elegant texture, no hard edges, a solid spine of acidity, and a great, great finish. This is a brilliant, heavenly 2018 to enjoy over the coming 30 years or more. Drink: 2021-2051. (3/11/21)"

99 points James Suckling: "Aromas of crushed blackberries and blueberries with dried flowers and bark, following through to a full body with a tight and powerful palate of beautiful fruit and chewy yet polished tannins that are compressed and impressive. Extremely linear and intense. Muscular, in a toned way. Yet it opens in the mouth at you taste it. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot. Drink after 2025. (3/3/21)"

99 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Deep dark ruby, purple reflections and subtle brightening on the rim. Inviting, seductive bouquet with rose fragrance, dark forest fruits in the background, cassis notes, liquorice and noble wood. Juicy, complex, ripe cherry fruit, pleasant sweetness, silky, yet firm tannins, elegant structure and delicately savoury and salty on the finish. Light-footed despite all its power. Great ageing potential and a star of the vintage. (2/14/21)"

98+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "The 2018 Rauzan-Ségla is composed of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The wine has 14% alcohol, and it was aged for around 18 months in barriques, 65% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes galloping out of the glass with powerful, energetic scents of crushed black cherries, blackcurrant cordial and mulberries, plus suggestions of violets, star anise, chocolate mint and crushed rocks with a touch of tobacco leaf. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam-packed with taut, muscular black fruit layers, supported by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with fantastic length and loads of earthy sparks. This is a thoroughbred Margaux, for sure, possessing amazing power in a very sleek, sophisticated package. Give it 5-7 years in bottle to unlock all those earth, floral and mineral nuances and drink it over the next 40 years or more. An incredible achievement that adeptly sidesteps the potentially overwhelming stamps of this extreme vintage. Bravo to Technical Director Nicolas Audebert and the team at Rauzan-Ségla! Drink: 2026-2066. (3/31/21)"

98 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "A contender for the finest vintage of Rauzan Segla ever produced, the wine hits all the right notes starting with its complex perfume which is already showing off its lilacs, violets, tobacco leaf, forest floor, espresso and array of red and black fruits. On the palate, the wine really shines due to its depth of flavor, power, concentration, sensuous, elegant textures and its silk and velvet wrapped finish clocking in at 60 seconds, or more. Give it ten years or just a bit longer and this beauty will shine for 2-3 decades after that. The wine blends 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot 14% ABV. (Mar 2021)"

97 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "I very much enjoyed this en primeur and I am happy to see it living up to billing. There is real nuance here, with a ton of great fruit - layers of cassis, bilberry, charcoal and saffron spice. This really stands out for me as having balance, complexity and the potential to grow. These were tasted blind and I genuinely have to say congratulations to Nicolas Audebert and his team for calling it right in a year in which handling oak over ageing has proved difficult in many cases. 3.8pH. 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. Drinking Window: 2026-2050. (Nov 2020)"

97 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Rauzan-Segla is deep garnet-purple in color. It slowly emerges from the glass with evocative notes of baked blackberries and blackcurrant cordial, plus waves of blueberry pie, sandalwood, rose bud tea, and licorice. The medium to full-bodied palate is plush and juicy, with seamless freshness and a long, spicy finish. Drink: 2026-2056. (3/21/24)"

97 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "[$155 list] Warm-hearted and rich with black-plum and dark-chocolate flavors, this wine comes from one of the properties owned by the Chanel luxury group. The dense tannins and generous fruits are typical of wines from this top estate. Drink from 2027. Alcohol 14.5%. (May 2021)"

97 points (18.5/20) La Revue du Vin de France (Jan 2021).

96 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "This vintage presents a typically dark and glossy hue, and what else should we expect from the 2018 vintage? And it possesses a fascinating nose, one which combines the floral perfume of the appellation with the rich intensity of fruit coming from the vintage. Very dark, with hawthorn and wild hedgerow fruits, as well as liquorice and black olive intensity. The palate is hugely impressive, with delicious and yet somewhat understated concentration, sinewy rather than fat, with a dense core of tannins, vibrant definition and very fine acidity. This is concentrated yet savoury and integrated, with a seamless finish, and a length filled with ripe tannin. Hugely impressive. This is going to evolve brilliantly. Hands off! The declared alcohol is 14.5%. (Oct 2021)"

96 points Wine Spectator: "Concentrated, with a deep well of cassis and dark cherry preserve, but it maintains the grace and perfume typical of Margaux, flowing with silky charm as lilac, red tea, mineral and sanguine details fill in gently behind the fruit. Long and very suave finish sparkles with a savory note. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2025 through 2040. (3/31/21)"