Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This is an unusual CdP. In the sense that is is dark, thick and like chocolate for water.

My first of three bottles.

The nose shows a very light flaw, some soft VA, bandaid. The core is all dark currants, candied, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums-heavier black, black raspberries, hints of raspberries & wafting strawberries. Chocolate cake w/ fudge frosting, incense, black pepper, black coffee, anise to black licorice, grilled meats, crushed rocks, lime-sandstone, dry herbs with floral candied dark, red flowers with liquid violets wrapped in lavender.

The palate reveals; dark currants, candied, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums-heavier black, black raspberries, hints of raspberries, some pomegranate & wafting strawberries. Chocolate cake w/ fudge frosting, caramel, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, incense, Christmas cake, red & dark cola, olive tapenade, black pepper, black coffee, anise to black licorice, smoke, grilled meats, soy sauce, crushed rocks, lime-sandstone, moist clay, dry herbs with dark, gentle dark spices, red& dark flowers with candied liquid violets wrapped in the same candied lavender, grand, round, rainfall acidity w/ a rich, lush, well balanced, nicely toned/structured, elegant finish that shows length that lasts 90-120 seconds and falls on chocolate cake, clay & spice.

Untypical for a CdP to be so thick, round, rich and a bit of wine candy.

93-95 with the meal.

Drink over the next 7-10 yrs and perhaps a couple to three yrs +. Greatly depends on storage and how you like your wines in age. — 8 hours ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Wallys feng — a month ago

Kurt Winrich

9.2

At La Coin in Seattle — a month ago

Lyn Farmer

9.4

Mature and drinking well with complex aromas and flavors of strawberry, black cherry, blueberries, lavender, thyme, graphite, leather, grilled meat and turned earth. Mineral edge on a long finish - plenty of life left in this well-made wine. Mostly Grenache (60%) with 25% Mourvèdre and some other local varieties (but no Syrah it seems). — 2 months ago

Garen Staglin

9.3

Very fresh. Nice fruit and finish. — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2023 vintage. 6.3.26. — 2 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Medium straw yellow . Quite rich on the nose , some toasty notes with some wax and yellow fruits , citrus peel, vanilla . On the palate this is all about the texture , quite round but enough balance , blanched almonds , peach. Waxy notes . Good length . Drink now and over the next few years , in a perfect place . — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2022 vintage. Tasted from a 375ml sample. Frontal richness, chocolate usually reserved for the high-end, over the top CDP's along with the expected markers/high points down the road. Took two cases of half-bottles. Delicious. 8.5.26. — 10 days ago

Jim Powers

9.4

Classic Besucastel! I first visited this property in 1987, and the Brett character was unmistakeable. This 1990 is aging extremely well. Strong Brett aromas, but the fruit is also strong and in balance. If you are one that thinks Brett is an unforgivable flaw, you will hate this. Great Chateauneuf from a great vintage! Celebrating my son’s 33rd birthday tonight (1993 wasn’t a great vintage in CdP!) with a perfectly grilled NY steak. I am very pleased with this wine — 19 days ago

Jedidiah Abrams

9.4

Half-bottle — 23 days ago

Jackson Dealey

9.2

Beautiful wine, dry without food, but a great food pairing. — a month ago

with Morgan

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Papas gaucho — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2022 vintage. Medium-heavy body. Needs time/patience but shows pretty well currently if you're out of either/both. 6.3.26. — 2 months ago

Chris Albin

Winemaker, Azari Vineyards Winemaker, Corskcrew Wines

9.1

Beautifully fruity and funky — 3 months ago

Doug Powers

9.3

This aged CdP still has very fine color, just the faintest hint of bricking, shows just a trace of surmaturite (which has been evident in most 1990 CdPs I cellared), lovely medium-ripe redfruits, while it’s mature and ready, with a little heat (14% ABV) in the solid, lingering finish (BTW, this is the “regular”, not Vielles Vignes, bottling), this is a really impressive aged CdP!! — 16 days ago

with Jim

Mike Obley

8.9

Surprisingly good for a waek vintage — 11 days ago

Jan A

9.0

Very advanced bottle — 21 days ago

Her Mir Tage

9.5

Rayas 08 exceeded my expectations — it was in great condition. We decanted it at 3 PM and started drinking at 7 PM. In the first phase, it showed sweet red fruit notes. In the second phase, herbal/vegetal notes emerged. In the third phase, a cooling mintiness appeared.

This bottle wasn't as explosively aromatic as the 07 I opened last time — that 07, after two hours of decanting, unleashed an incredibly rich and enchanting floral bouquet. It was like the scent of a garden transitioning from summer into autumn — grand and opulent, with a hint of fading beauty. Notes of black cherry, rose, and blood orange intertwined, and the aromas kept evolving over time — garrigue, incense — complex and alluring, with a grand structure and a rich, round palate.

The 08, on the other hand, feels more like a refined lady from a scholarly family — graceful, gentle, intellectual, with no aggressive edge. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Lovely sweet Grenache based fruit in an excellent vintage. Sweetness is the over riding palate descriptor reflective of the ripe vintage - red currant. A long persistent flavour profile. Telegramme is the second wine of Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe. — 2 months ago

Khary Bizzell

9.2

In Paris - A take away bottle from the restaurant 😎 — 2 months ago