Only 45% of the crop made it into the 2010 Rauzan-Segla, which is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This wine has an average pH of 3.6, but at 13.9%, the alcohol is the highest ever measured. The tannin levels in this wine suggest the great 1986 Rauzan-Segla, while the personality of the wine comes close to mirroring the 2005. Dense purple, with hints of menthol, blueberry, black currant and sweet, earthy notes, the wine is full-bodied and displays terrific purity, texture, and overall precision. The tannin levels are high, but the wine balances them out with its impressive level of concentration. This wine will probably need 5-10 years of cellaring when released and drink well for 30 or more years, given the fact that the 1986, at age 25, is still an adolescent. 92-94 points

Cropped over four weeks instead of three because of the uneven flowering of the Merlot, the Rauza-Segla delivers 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.6, a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot 3.5% Petit Verdot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc. Tasted three times, it has a very “strict”, tightly wound bouquet. It takes time to open up, with faint notes of shellfish inflecting the very fresh blackberry and graphite fruit. The palate is very well balanced with saturated tannins, vibrant acidity, that Cabernet Sauvignon (yet again) imparting graphite and mineralité into the wine. Quite linear towards the finish, long in the mouth. A great wine...though I suspect that the 2009 may turn out to be the pick of the two. Tasted April 2011. 92-94 points

A superb success - superior to 2009. Dark-hued wine. Mighty nose of black fruit . deep floral and subtle. Splendid and regal on entry then fat and alive with aromas. Rich and complex on the mid palate through to a powerful and finely-grained finish pure Margaux style. I believe this 2010 is more refined than the 2005. Impeccably crafted. 94 points