Wine Advisor
Rayas, Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve 1994
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A Burgundian-like bouquet of framboise, kirsch, raspberries, and flowers jumps from the glass of this medium to full-bodied, sweet, stylish Rayas. The 1994 has put on weight, although it is not a blockbuster. The tannin is sweet in this forward, exceptionally fragrant, seductive effort. Anticipated maturity: now-2012
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
For the fourth straight year, Rayas' harvest was adversely impacted by heavy rain. The 1994 Rayas reveals a medium ruby color, a ripe, strawberry/cherry nose, medium body, a soft, moderately concentrated style, adequate acidity, and no annoying herbaceousness or vegetal notes. It is a lighter-weight Rayas that will require drinking during its first 7-8 years of life. Imported by Martine's Wines, San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 485-1800, Wines of France, Alain Junguenet, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173, and Ideal Wines, Medford, MA; tel. (617) 395-3300
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1994 Rayas has turned out to be a classic. Resembling the 1988, but more forward and sweeter, it displays a deep ruby/purple color, and a gorgeously fragrant nose of framboise, kirsch, and black raspberries. Dense and full-bodied, with a sweet midsection, this well-proportioned, stylish, yet authoritatively rich and powerful Rayas has turned out to be a noteworthy success. It should drink well for 12-16 years. Last tasted 9/96.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A big surprise was the degree to which I blew it with respect to Jacques Reynaud's 1994s. Now in bottle, they are significantly richer and more complete than my reviews indicated when I tasted the component parts last year. The 1994 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape has turned out to be a classic. Resembling the 1988, but more forward and sweeter, it displays a deep ruby/purple color, and a gorgeously fragrant nose of framboise, kirsch, and black-raspberries. Dense and full-bodied, with a sweet mid-section, this well-proportioned, stylish yet authoritatively rich and powerful Rayas has turned out to be a noteworthy success. It should drink well for 12-16 years. This wine was tasted between June 1 and June 16, 1996. Importer: Martine's Wines, San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 485-1800
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
After tasting through the component parts of the 1994 Rayas, it appears to be a cousin of the 1993, although slightly riper with more fruit. It is a medium-bodied, unsubstantial style of Rayas. Like the 1993, it will have a fast evolutionary track and will require drinking during its first decade of life. Jacques Reynaud is not pleased with what has happened at Rayas since the creation of his profound 1990. He declassified all of his Rayas in 1991. He produced a good 1992, and a light, fruity, soft 1993 and 1994. (Contrary to what I reported in issue #93, dated 6/30/94, not all of the 1993 production was declassified.) To put it in perspective, tasters who are familiar with the 1986 Rayas will find the 1993 and 1994 comparable in quality and personality. By the standards of this great estate, they are pleasant, but uninspiring wines. Reynaud, who is among the last to harvest in Chateauneuf du Pape, requires dry, sunny weather in late September and early October to fashion his riveting style - the Le Pin of Chateauneuf du Pape (but no new oak is used)! His wines can be unequaled in their perfumed richness, complexity, and layers of sweet fruit (i.e., 1978, 1979, 1981, 1988, 1989, and 1990). When it rains, Reynaud is often caught with fruit that is not physiologically mature enough, and the result is dilution. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a great Rayas vintage in 1995 - my stocks are getting low! Importer: Martine's Wines, San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 485-1800
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A sleeper of the vintage, the 1994 offers up a fragrant perfume of kirsch, raspberries, leather, and tobacco in a medium to full-bodied, surprisingly authoritative style with outstanding depth, ripeness, and length. Compared to the cost of the 1990 and 1995, this is a steal. Importers: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173 and Martine’s Wines, Novato, CA; tel. (415) 883-0400
About the Producer
Back in 1880, General Albert Reynaud bought Chateau Rayas in the Rhone Valley. It is now run by Emmanuel Reynaud. The Reynaud family has owned the estate for over 120 years. For four generations, the Reynaud family has worked hard to transform the estate from a small, unknown winery to a leading Rhone Valley winery. When Château Rayas was first purchased by Albert Reynaud, it had a small, unassuming vineyard on sandy, north-facing soils that were not well insulated or sunlit. Today the estate has 25 hectares of vineyards and the vines are on average 35 years old. The success of the estate is due to the persistence and innovation of its owners. Originally, the tradition in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape region was to make wine from a mix of grape varieties, but Mr Albert Renaud took a different approach and abandoned the tradition of using a mix of grapes in Chateauneuf-du-Pape to make wine from local Grenache grapes and a small amount of Syrah. The result is a top-notch Chateauneuf-du-Pape red wine (Chateau Rayas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape) that overcomes all its shortcomings. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is matured in old barrels for 2-3 years before being released to the market and is produced in very low yields, at a price that is the best in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region. It is highly regarded by the public: the 1996 vintage was awarded 98 points by the Wine Spectator in 2006, the highest score in the appellation that year. The 2005 and 2003 vintages were also rated 98 and 95 points respectively by Parker. Château Rayas sells its wines under the name "Château Rayas", but also under the names "Château de Fonsalette" and "Pignan". Pignan Chateauneuf du Pape. The wines of Chateauneuf du Pape are comparable to those of Château de Fonsalette. The red wines of Château de Rothschild are smooth and elegant, while the white wines are fresh and have a long lasting aroma. The red wines of Château Fonsalie are full-bodied and ripe, while the white wines have aromas of nectarine and apricot. In the Renault family, which is aimed at the top end of the market, the Pinot is the second wine of Château Rijas and has a similar style to the main Rijas, with a medium body, attractive black cherry and fig flavours and a sweet taste.
