2022 Château Rauzan-Ségla, Cru Classé Margaux

Supple texture, thoroughly impressive in its depth and grip, blackcurrant, blackberry, crayon, liquorice, mint, slate, fennel, ink, has confidence and character and just so much class. Brings precision to the exuberance of the vintage, barely puts a step wrong, so concentated and yet delivering slate and lift. Excellent. Tasted twice. 50% new barrels, Nicolas Auderbert director, 50% of production in the first wine.

This château has been firing on all cylinders of late, no doubt due to the talents of technical director Nicolas Audebert, and a wine that's going to flirt with perfection is their 2022 Château Rauzan-Ségla. Powerful notes of black cherries, currants, smoked tobacco, chocolate, and leafy herbs all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, concentrated texture, ripe yet building tannins, and a great finish. This is a legit great wine that's going to rival the 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2020.

The 2022 Rauzan-Ségla is a beautifully sensual, charming wine, bursting with aromas of cherries, dark berries and plums mingled with hints of violets, sweet loamy soil and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's fleshy and enveloping, with an ample core of vibrant fruit, supple tannins and a long, succulent finish. The 2022 is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot; and in 2022, the east-facing sides of the vines, which see the afternoon sun, were picked separately, along with anything that showed signs of stress.

The freshness and clarity of the fruit is really something with black currants and cherries. Brilliant. Full-bodied, layered and round with polished tannins. I like the intensity and focus with such precision and gorgeousness. Is this the 2016 plus more?

The 2022 Ségla is terrific. A burst of black fruit, spice, leather, chocolate and gravel races across the palate. Sumptuous and extroverted to the core, the 2022 packs a serious punch. I expect to see an overachieving second wine once it is bottled.