1990 Château Rayas "Réservé" Châteauneuf-du-Pape

“Truly otherworldly, the 1990 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve possesses stunningly perfumed and intense aromatics of kirsch and raspberries intermixed with sweet spice, roasted herbs, leather and licorice notes. Very ripe and beautifully complex, the palate is full bodied and a hedonistic dream that just expands in the mouth. There’s amazing sweetness, low acidity and an unbelievable, lush, thick and yet light texture that carries into a monster finish. Firing on all cylinders and as good as wine gets!” (04/2009)

“As for the 1990, I have had the good fortune to drink nearly three cases, and it has been one of the triumphs of my cellar … this is riveting stuff. A legendary Rayas made from extremely ripe Grenache, it exhibits notes of over-ripe kirsch, raspberries, cherries, game, licorice, and tobacco. This unctuously-textured, thick, juicy Chateauneuf must tip the scale at 15.5% alcohol. It is truly a Rhone Valley monument. (RP)” (01/2003)

“The 1990 Châteauneuf-du-Pape flirts with that tantalizing intangibility of perfection. The bouquet is heavenly, loaded with melted red fruit, kirsch, touches of Christmas cake, leather and aniseed. Aromas seem to billow and, like your favorite aunt, give the olfactory senses a warm maternal hug. Armed with stunning delineation, I could have just inhaled its perfume all night. The palate is sweet on the entry with cashmere tannins and perfect acidity. Tart cherries and rooibos intertwine towards the sensual finish. It is an utterly spellbinding Châteauneuf-du-Pape that surpasses even my own sky-high expectations. God invented wine to drink wines like this. (NM)” (07/2023)

“This shows a unique peat and dried mango and candle wax character. Full-bodied, layered, very long and rich. Dense. Oily.” (06/2016)

“Mature ruby with a pale rim. Sweet and rich and vibrant. Heady and medicinal in a thoroughly good way. Great freshness. Jewels and spice. Bravo! Still lots of life! 19.5/20 points (JR)” (10/2010)