Château Rauzan Segla, Rauzan Segla, Bordeaux, AOC, dry, red

The 2021 achieves a balance of fruit and floral notes which is simply astounding. The nose announces itself with an enticing flourish of wild strawberry, its exuberance reined in by a hint of fresh rose petal. The floral notes unfurl at their leisure, led by delicate notes of peony and white sap. All the while, a spicy undercurrent of pepper, chocolate and raspberry bubbles beneath the surface. The attack is as lively as it is indulgent, exploring the delicious duality of its blood orange flavours, at once sweet and sharp, followed by a gentle bitterness which lingers long on the palate. The sense of balance is razor-sharp, sublimated by Cabernet Sauvignon harvested at absolutely perfect ripeness.