TN: 1996 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

WINE TALK
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  • 1996 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (8/29/2009)
    Textbook Rayas: This wine immediately greets you with a blast of earth, leather, white pepper and a touch of sweaty horse. The palate is a cornucopia of red fruits laced with the same white pepper found on the nose. This has that certain crunchy rusticity I often find on a Rayas Chateauneuf. A slight tinge of alcohol is the sole detractor here. For my taste this is drinking perfectly right now with plenty of structure and fruit to take it at least another 5-10 years. (94 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

NOTE: Consumed using the Riedel Oregon Pinot glass. Rayas always drinks like a rustic pinot to me.

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Great note Ed. I’d like to say I completely agree with you but I’ve never had a Rayas. Sounds like great stuff. How is 1996 compared to other great 90’s vintages?

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Had the 96 a while back (3rd July 2008) at a private Rayas vertical dinner featuring 8 vintages: 85, 92, 94, 96, 98, 99, 01 and 02, divided into 2 flights. I liked the 96, but found the 85, 98, 01 and 92 more to my taste at the time.

Nice to read how its doing now. Thanks.

N

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Hi Phil!
Check out LMD’s post - Of those I’ve had the '01 and '98, both of which were better than this '96.

Hopefully we can get together before your departure. [cry.gif] If we do, I’ll bring an '01.

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Hi LMD,
Great notes! In reading your note on the 96, I definitely agree the finish could have been a bit longer.

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Ahem…I’d like in on that.

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But of course Father, that is a given!