Château Rayas

Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache Blend

9.479 ratings
9.340 pro ratings
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
Grenache Blend
Beef, Onion, Pungent Cheese, Hard Cheese, Lamb, Mushrooms, Pasta, Tomato-Based, Salami & Prosciutto, Pork, Venison
Top Notes For
Ira Schwartz

With a table full of giants , for many this was the WOTD. Text book Rayas on the nose; strawberry, cherry, spices and  kirsch.
This is a wine that makes love to your palate. Teasing and caressing your mouth with harmonious waves of elegant and balanced fruit. A great Rayas in a poor vintage for CDP. However for me the partner in life is the 2005 , which has complexity and concentration that puts that one in the Hall of Fame along with ‘78, ‘90 & ‘95

With a table full of giants , for many this was the WOTD. Text book Rayas on the nose; strawberry, cherry, spices and  kirsch.
This is a wine that makes love to your palate. Teasing and caressing your mouth with harmonious waves of elegant and balanced fruit. A great Rayas in a poor vintage for CDP. However for me the partner in life is the 2005 , which has complexity and concentration that puts that one in the Hall of Fame along with ‘78, ‘90 & ‘95

Oct 31st, 2023
Matt

Everything I want in Grenache, everything I wish Pinot had. Garnet, limpid, crushed strawberry, grilled blood orange, white pepper, crushed herbs, wet leaves, stones, potpourri, dried rose petal, juniper, dried strawberry, oolong tea, fern forest, candy cap mushrooms, dry aged beef, and cinnamon. Lithe, graceful, driven by a focused acidity and strong mineral core. The stones and herbs are profound yet subdued by the purity of the red berry fruit. Incredibly detailed and an absolute match from nose to palate, clear and pure. Tannins are brisk and textural. Enjoyed over several hours for 35th bday.

Everything I want in Grenache, everything I wish Pinot had. Garnet, limpid, crushed strawberry, grilled blood orange, white pepper, crushed herbs, wet leaves, stones, potpourri, dried rose petal, juniper, dried strawberry, oolong tea, fern forest, candy cap mushrooms, dry aged beef, and cinnamon. Lithe, graceful, driven by a focused acidity and strong mineral core. The stones and herbs are profound yet subdued by the purity of the red berry fruit. Incredibly detailed and an absolute match from nose to palate, clear and pure. Tannins are brisk and textural. Enjoyed over several hours for 35th bday.

Dec 17th, 2021
Dr. Owen Bargreen

My friend graciously shared the 2008 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape which was a rare treat that is truly one of the wines of the vintage. The intoxicating bouquet of rose petals, Provencale herbs, sweet pipe tobacco and pretty red fruits bring you back to the glass for more aromatic delight. The texture of the wine borders ethereal as the Grenache effortlessly dances across the mid-palate. Bright guava and Yakima cherry flavors combine with damp earthy tones, minerals and a marvelous salinity that runs through the core of the wine. The exceedingly long finish lingers. While marvelous now, the 2008 Rayas will have a long life ahead of it in the cellar. Drink 2020-2038- 96

My friend graciously shared the 2008 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape which was a rare treat that is truly one of the wines of the vintage. The intoxicating bouquet of rose petals, Provencale herbs, sweet pipe tobacco and pretty red fruits bring you back to the glass for more aromatic delight. The texture of the wine borders ethereal as the Grenache effortlessly dances across the mid-palate. Bright guava and Yakima cherry flavors combine with damp earthy tones, minerals and a marvelous salinity that runs through the core of the wine. The exceedingly long finish lingers. While marvelous now, the 2008 Rayas will have a long life ahead of it in the cellar. Drink 2020-2038- 96

Jan 20th, 2020
Jake Hajer

WOW! Gorgeous wine. Medium-light bodied, light tannins, but so layered and so much fruit. Somehow the intense fruit doesn’t unbalance a subtle spice and a hint of green. Shockingly good.

WOW! Gorgeous wine. Medium-light bodied, light tannins, but so layered and so much fruit. Somehow the intense fruit doesn’t unbalance a subtle spice and a hint of green. Shockingly good.

Dec 8th, 2019
Gilbert Van Hassel

The wine is old. If you have some left drink ASAP . Ruby port color, oxidative nose, drinkable but way past prime.

The wine is old. If you have some left drink ASAP . Ruby port color, oxidative nose, drinkable but way past prime.

Sep 8th, 2019
Gilbert Van Hassel

Between 2007 and 2009. Une verite de la palice but with great significance in the wine world. Light year, very feminine wine, very evolved, reduction in nose needs to be drunk now.

Between 2007 and 2009. Une verite de la palice but with great significance in the wine world. Light year, very feminine wine, very evolved, reduction in nose needs to be drunk now.

Apr 20th, 2019
Will Costello MS

Master Sommelier, Wine Director Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas

9.7

All the stems but such a pure ripe red fruit on the palate. I want to bathe in this forever.

All the stems but such a pure ripe red fruit on the palate. I want to bathe in this forever.

6 people found it helpfulMar 11th, 2015
Ken Swegles

Very nice!

Very nice!

Apr 1st, 2016
Vino Kaela

A superb wine. Rich layers of spicy melon and red fruit with wild flowers. A nice undertone of organic earthiness rounds out the bouquet. The palate is rich and giving with a long finish. #Rhone

A superb wine. Rich layers of spicy melon and red fruit with wild flowers. A nice undertone of organic earthiness rounds out the bouquet. The palate is rich and giving with a long finish. #Rhone

Jan 14th, 2016
MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.4

Honestly one of the first #chateauneuf that has given me a #wow factor. Elegance, depth and aging well. 2008 Rayas

Honestly one of the first #chateauneuf that has given me a #wow factor. Elegance, depth and aging well. 2008 Rayas

Dec 9th, 2015