Rauzan-Segla - 1986 (750ml)

The 1986 Château Rauzan Ségla is composed of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot. It displays a garnet color with slight bricking around the edges. Offering intense aromas of tobacco and earth, along with some fine leather. The fruit is slightly restrained at first, but as it opens, cassis and dried berries soar out of the glass. On the palate, the berries started emerging with hints of black licorice and red meat as it showed great balance and structure with still plenty of tannins. Smooth as velvet with a nice long, smooth finish. (JR) 94 Points, International Wine Review

The 1986 Rauzan-Segla is held up as one of the best wines of that decade. Now at 30 years old, it has an initially tightly wound bouquet that demands coaxing from the glass. It eventually offers exquisite aromas of small red cherries, cranberry jus, confit dates and briary, a hint of sandalwood tucked underneath. You would never describe the aromatics as "explosive" but it seems to gain in intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly savory entry. There is good structure here, but there is a sweet seam of fig and candied orange peel that to be honest, does not quite match the personality of the wine. My hunch is that this Rauzan-Segla is approaching the end of its drinking plateau, but any "decline" is going to be gradual and graceful. Drink now if you can, though I am certain large format bottles will have much more to offer. Tasted July 2016. 92 Points, Robert Parker, Reviewed by:Neal Martin