Château Rauzan-Gassies

Classical balance, aromatic finesse and Médoc elegance define Château Rauzan-Gassies, a historic Margaux estate where tradition and precision combine to express the subtlety of one of Bordeaux’s most distinguished terroirs.

Overview

Classified as a Second Growth in the 1855 Classification, Château Rauzan-Gassies stands among the great historic estates of Margaux. Ideally located near the village and its most prestigious crus, the vineyard extends over approximately 30 hectares of Günzian gravel soils, emblematic of Bordeaux’s Left Bank.

Owned by the Rouzaud family, also proprietors of Champagne Louis Roederer, the estate benefits from a rigorous and detail-oriented approach. Under the direction of Sébastien Ménard, the property pursues a clear stylistic vision focused on elegance, purity and precise expression of its terroirs.

Terroir & Grape Varieties

The vineyard is rooted in deep gravel soils over a clay-limestone subsoil, ensuring excellent drainage and promoting slow, even ripening of the grapes. This terroir is particularly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, which forms the backbone of the estate’s wines.

The planting is composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, with high vine density to enhance concentration, complexity and structural precision.

Viticulture & Practices

Vineyard management follows a parcel-by-parcel approach, tailored to each micro-terroir. The estate practices sustainable viticulture, combining soil work, controlled inputs and targeted interventions. Harvesting is carried out by hand, with meticulous sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery to ensure optimal fruit selection.

Winemaking & Aging

Fermentations take place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, allowing precise management of extraction and preservation of aromatic purity. The Grand Vin is aged for 14 to 16 months in French oak barrels, approximately 50% of which are new, contributing structure and depth while respecting the fruit and terroir expression.

Style & Wines

Château Rauzan-Gassies is characterized by a deep purple hue and an elegant bouquet of black cherry, redcurrant, violet, sweet spices and cedar. On the palate, it reveals a harmonious texture with fine, polished tannins, balanced structure and a fresh, lingering finish with subtle graphite notes. A classic wine for aging, it can develop gracefully over 15 to 25 years depending on the vintage.

The second wine, Chevalier de Rauzan-Gassies, produced in approximately 30,000 bottles, offers a more approachable interpretation of the estate’s style, emphasizing fruit, softness and early drinkability.

Key Facts

Annual production: approx. 120,000 bottles
Vineyard size: 30 hectares
Second wine: Chevalier de Rauzan-Gassies (~30,000 bottles)
Grape varieties: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
Top vintages: 2010, 2005, 2000