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. — 3 days ago

Eric Urbani

9.0

At Stubborn Seed in Vegas — 5 days ago

Mike Obley

8.9

Surprisingly good for a waek vintage — 14 days ago

Jedidiah Abrams

9.4

Half-bottle — a month ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Wallys feng — a month ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.1

To much of a fruit bomb good wine just not for me. — 2 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.4

Such a great nose of fruit and flowers. Palate coating fruits and citrus and acidity. Outstanding — 2 months ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.3

My style of CdP. 2023. Rich and fruity with strong backbone of acidity. Ripe tannins, but in background. Garrigue all day long. Love — a day 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 — 22 days ago

Elmars

9.3

Great wine, probably past its prime time, but still aromatic, well balanced with lime notes. — a day ago

K Brooks

9.0

Quite nice with Shawarma chicken and with roasted leg of lamb. — a month ago

Robert Swart

9.0

Had at Kavel's: Notes of dark cherry, cola, baking spice, a touch of vanilla oak, and soft tannins. — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Reddish in color with medium intensity.

Fruity nose with cherries, fresh raspberries, light oak, spices, chocolates, earth, herbs and tobacco leaf.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with strawberries, raspberries, fresh cherries, light oak, chocolates, herbs, earth, light tobacco and black pepper.

Good length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy pomegranates.

This 3 year old Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley is starting to drink very nicely now.

Fruit forward and easy drinking, elegant and nicely balanced. Tangy and refreshing, complex and entertaining.

Will continue to age nicely in 5 years.

I gave it a light chill and had it all by itself.

100% Pinot Noir grapes were aged in (35% new) French Oak barrels for 9 months.

13.9% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$45. — 2 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. — 12 days ago

Doug Powers

9.1

So, initially I thought this was nowhere near the 1990 Marcoux CdP, and this is Côtes du Rhône (WHAT????), but for a 38 year old CdR, it’s pretty fine, zero tannins, definitely lower alcohol (label says 12.5% ABV, but I’m not buying it?!?!), but no noticeable ABV and smooth and suave, honestly, I attribute the great showing to the 1988 vintage!!? — 18 days ago

with Jim

Maggie Harrison

9.2

lifted. hunt or red floral- lavendar? medium tannins. high acid. fuller mid palate than Sonoma Coast. — 11 days ago

Jan A

9.0

Very advanced bottle — 23 days ago

Kurt Winrich

9.2

At La Coin in Seattle — a month ago

Scott E. Becker

9.2

[Tasted on July 2, 2026 at Home]
— a month 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