critic reviews
The 2006 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve bursts from the glass with kirsch and black plum, sharing some glycerine notes with the 2011. Time reveals touches of sloe and violet. The palate is medium-bodied with exceptionally pure red fruit plus inflections of blood orange and clove. As I wrote before, there is a beguiling complexity to this Rayas, and it is just beginning to drink perfectly now. Tasted at the Rayas dinner at La Trompette in London.
Pale ruby colored, the 2006 Rayas Châteauneuf du Pape leaps with perfumed notes of juicy raspberries, kirsch, and pronounced rose oil, followed by hints of white pepper, powdered cinnamon, and crushed rocks with a waft of fallen leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers vibrant red berry and floral flavors with a lively backbone and silky tannins, finishing on a lingering peppery note.
The elegant 2006 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape is not as powerful as the 2005 or 2007, but it offers a deep ruby color as well as opulent, fleshy, kirsch and black raspberry characteristics along with hints of spring flowers and loamy soil. A sexy, showy, beautifully balanced, silky effort, it is already approachable, and should drink well for two decades., After going through a transitional period after Jacques Reynaud died in 1997, it is safe to say that his nephew, Emmanuel Reynaud, has returned this venerable estate to its previous level of high quality. While Chateauneuf du Pape is a warm appellation, Rayas is situated in a cool micro-climate, and is undoubtedly not an easy property to maintain. It is also known for its sandy soils, which are in total contrast to the rock-strewn plateau a half mile to the east, west, and south. Two utterly profound Rayas Chateauneuf du Papes have been produced recently, the 2005 and 2007. 2007 is a superb vintage at Chateau Rayas Importer: Martines Wines, Novato, CA; tel. (415) 883-0400