1990 CHÂTEAU RAUSAN SEGLA 1990

(02-1997)
I hope I am not too optimistic about the potential of the 1990 Rausan-Segla as it is one wine that requires a significant investment in patience. It reveals an opaque purple color, but the wine is broodingly backward, with a formidable tannin level. Closer examination, however, reveals large quantities of sweet, earthy, cassis fruit, full body, and a leathery toughness. The wine is pure, with huge flavor extraction, as well as mouthsearing tannin. In previous tastings it displayed more openness and less aggressiveness. All the component parts appear to be present, but this massive wine has gone into a dormant state. Give it 7-8 more years of bottle age; it may be a 30-year wine.