2004 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Reserve
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Tasting notes
Still slightly closed on the nose, with tropical and lemon driven fruit, brioche, mineral, and almond characteristics, the 2004 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Réserve is fresh and lively on the palate, with a rich, full texture, beautiful purity of fruit, and a gorgeous finish. Given the mid-palate depth, as well as the overall balance, this beauty will be incredibly age-worthy. Give bottles another 2-3 years, and then plan on drinking over the following decade or more.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The fabulous 2004 white Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of white Grenache and a little bit of Clairette. This is one of the richest, most honeyed Rayas whites I have tasted, and boasts good underlying acidity, beautiful purity, and loads of flowery exotic fruits in the aromas and flavors. It should drink well for 10-15 years, possibly even longer. The 2005s at this renowned estate, both the Cotes du Rhones from the Fonselette estate and the Chateauneuf du Papes, are cool-climate style wines with some austerity but admirable delicacy and lightness. I didn’t think they were among the vintage’s strongest efforts, but they are certainly very much in keeping with the style of past Jacques Reynaud wines. Importer: Martine’s Wines, Novato, CA; tel. (415) 883-0400
The fabulous 2004 white Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of white Grenache and a little bit of Clairette. This is one of the richest, most honeyed Rayas whites I have tasted, and boasts good underlying acidity, beautiful purity, and loads of flowery exotic fruits in the aromas and flavors. It should drink well for 10-15 years, possibly even longer. Feb 2007, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Ch. Rayas is a cult name in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The wines – pure, silken expressions of Grenache with distinctive perfume – are revered for their singularity and fiercely collected. Made by Emmanuel Reynaud and renowned for their ageability, they have become some of the region's most sought-after.