Wine Advisor
Rayas, Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve 1996
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1996 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits a medium ruby color, and a fragrant bouquet of kirsch, raspberries, and dried, smoky herbs. This evolved, medium to full-bodied, delicious, open-knit wine lacks the depth of top vintages. Nevertheless, it is seductive and ideal for drinking over the next 7-9 years.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1996 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape is a sexy, forward wine, with a deep ruby color, and an intensely fragrant black raspberry/kirsch-scented bouquet. On the palate, the wine offers a seductive array of fleshy, rich, red and black fruits, medium to full body, a soft, lush, low acid style, and a heady, alcoholic, lusty finish. This should turn out to be a beautifully rendered Rayas. It had already been assembled by Francoise Reynaud, and will probably be bottled earlier than usual because of the vintage's fragile personality. The 1996 should be at its best in 2-3 years and last for an additional 10-12 years. By the standards of the great Rayas vintages, it will not be comparable to the profound 1995. The 1996 vintage, the last one Jacques Reynaud vinified before he passed away, was the product of a very late harvest. The wine is reminiscent of a hypothetical blend of the 1985 and 1994 - seductive, forward, and precocious. Importers: Martine's Wines, San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 485-1800, and Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This lighter-styled wine appears diluted in terms of color, but it possesses surprising quantities of sweet black cherry fruit intermixed with hints of resin, licorice, and tobacco. It is a medium to full-bodied Chateauneuf with far more flavor and intensity than its light-ish colors suggest. The wine requires consumption over the next 5-8 years. Importers: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173 and Martine’s Wines, Novato, CA; tel. (415) 883-0400
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1996 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits a medium ruby color, and a fragrant bouquet of kirsch, raspberries, and dried, smoky herbs. This evolved, medium to full-bodied, delicious, open-knit wine lacks the depth of top vintages. Nevertheless, it is seductive and ideal for drinking over the next 7-9 years. Importers: Martine's Wines, San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 485-1800 and Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173
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.
