The 1995 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is served blind. I was unsure about the cleanliness of the aromatics here, although they coalesce with time, red berry fruit, singed leather and a light dried blood tincture. There's a touch of nail varnish in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with a dash of balsamic, a little disjointed at first, but it gains harmony in the glass with plenty of Morello cherry and wild strawberry toward the finish. Fine, though the 2007 showed better two days earlier. Tasted at Burns & German's dinner to celebrate The Complete Bordeaux Vintage Guide book at Medlar. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
— 3 months ago
Costco. Very good. — 6 months ago
The wine is old and borderline maderized. Unfortunately just got a case of this. — 2 months ago
Really great value in a straightforward, honest, balanced Grenache. It’s grown within the Faugeres appellation but can’t claim the AOC apparently because it’s from deep sandy soils and not schist. No matter! Rayas grows Grenache in sand so there’s great precedent! Nose shows sappy kirsch-y fruit, lots of savory, mineral notes, and a touch of vanilla and spice. Soft and light-footed in the mouth. Quite dry, savory, and saline. Very soft tannin. Alcohol is relatively low at a stated 13.5. Drinking well now, it will certainly last a year or two longer, though I don’t think it will improve. I love wines like this. So food flexible. — 5 months ago
Jay Kline
The color of the 2000 Pignan is a brilliant pale ruby color and slightly cloudy. Noticeably lighter in complexion than the others in the CdP flight. Yep…it has that scintillating, heady nose that is so unique to Rayas. Pine needles, wild strawberries, cardamom…woof. This bottle had some VA but I didn’t mind. Perhaps not the most exciting Rayas but I’m splitting hairs here. A very nice pairing with cassoulet, Toulouse sausage and duck confit. Drink now and through 2035. Merci Matt! — 11 days ago