1978 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Drinking old Château Rayas is an emotional experience. It reminds me of my days living in Paris in the mid-1980s and visiting the wines estate with my friends from Willi's Wine Bar and drinking lots of bottles at the time in France. The pure Grenache Châteauneuf-du-Pape is unique to say the least. It has balance and beauty in a rustic, real way. It's almost Burgundian in texture. I am not sure the new vintages of the wine are at the same level as the pre-1990s vintages, but older vintages such as 1978, 1985, 1988, and 1990 are amazing quality. I was happy to drink a bottle of Château Rayas 1978 in Hong Kong the other night. It seems a little dusty and old now but shows beautiful richness and balance at the same time. It shows full and silky tannins and remains a subtle and delicate wine. There's lots of dried strawberries and dried flowers on the nose and palate.