2008 CHATEAU RAYAS Rouge 2008

(10-2012) A much lighter style of wine, but showing far better now that it has had some time in bottle. Medium ruby, with a classic nose of kirsch liqueur intermixed with Provencal herbs, sandy, loamy soil notes, some licorice and steak tartare, this wine is fleshy, medium to full-bodied, round, generous, and surprisingly seductive and luscious. I wouldn’t be surprised if many tasters prefer this over the bigger, richer, more structured and potentially far greater 2007, at least for the next 4-5 years. This is a sensational effort and one of the finest wines of the vintage, the most challenging year in Chateauneuf du Pape since the historical deluge in 2002.

(08-2020)

(10-2013) An elegant style, with gentle cherry sauce, mulled raspberry and damson plum fruit lined with shiso leaf, rooibos tea, iron and sandalwood notes. A mineral twinge holds the finish, which is sneakily long.