Tasting Notes
Vinous 96
Deep red. Explosively perfumed nose offers a kaleidoscopic bouquet of red berries, candied cherry, orange marmalade and fresh flowers. Silky and deep in raspberry and cherry flavor, but with an airy, graceful character reminiscent of a highfalootin’ Burgundy. A remarkably concentrated, elegant wine that finishes with superb, seamless length. There is absolutely no excess fat on this.
Robert Parker 96+
Showing the more structured, savory and austere side of the vintage, the 2005 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape will be 20-30 year wine. Offering up lots of darker fruits, gunpowder, ground pepper, truffles and licorice, it has full-bodied richness, a beautiful texture and no shortage of tannin or acid, both of which make themselves known on the finish. This is a wine to hide in the cellar for at least another 4-5 years, and it will still be going strong in 2030+. I don’t see this matching the 1995 or 2007, but it’s not far off.
Anticipated maturity: 2020-2035
JancisRobinson.com 18
Full bottle 1,322 g. Pale ruby with a rust rim. Delicate nose suggested refreshment but the end of the palate has the warmth of the region. Tannin almost dissipated and masses of sweet fruit with sufficient acidity. Fine and spicy. Very long and throat-warming. I’m tasting it at room temperature but I think I’ll put it in the cellar before serving.
Anticipated maturity: 2020-2033
