Deep garnet in color, the 2004 Rauzan-Ségla opens with slightly broody, muted notions of damp soil, scorched earth and charcoal with an emerging core of stewed plums, baked cherries and warm cassis plus hints of menthol, wild sage and dusty soil. Medium-bodied and elegantly style in the mouth, it has lovely freshness and an earthy core with well-played chewy tannins and a good, long finish. The blend this year is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, harvested between September 30 and October 16 at an average yield of 52 hectoliters per hectare. It was aged for 18 months in French oak, 50% new. The alcohol is 13%.