What is this wine?
Château Rauzan-Gassies is a Deuxième Cru Classé (Second Growth) from the 1855 Classification, located in Margaux on Bordeaux’s Left Bank. The estate’s gravelly soils are planted predominantly to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The 2005 vintage is one of Bordeaux’s most acclaimed of the past century, producing structured, concentrated, and beautifully balanced wines across the Médoc.
Why get this wine?
A mature Margaux from a top vintage is a rare find. Rauzan-Gassies combines the perfume and elegance of Margaux with the structure of 2005, a year built for aging. Now approaching two decades of maturity, this wine is entering its prime window, offering complexity and refinement without the price tag of the commune’s most famous names.
What does this wine taste like?
Medium to full-bodied, with cassis, blackberry, and plum supported by violet, cedar, and graphite. Secondary notes of tobacco, truffle, and leather are beginning to shine. The tannins have softened into a silky texture, and the finish is long and aromatic.
When should you drink this wine?
Ideal now through 2035. Decant gently to remove sediment and pair with roast lamb, duck breast, or mushroom dishes to complement its evolved complexity.
