Chateauneuf du Pape 1998 Rayas

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Robert Parker (89)

The 1998 Rayas has sweet kirsch liqueur notes, the color is disturbingly light, which doesn’t normally bother me, but there is also burgeoning orange and rust at the edge. The wine is medium to full-bodied, displays loads of cedar, loamy soil notes, balsam wood, pepper, and garrigue. There is nothing wrong with this wine, and if you haven’t had any of the really great vintages of Rayas (1981, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1995), readers would probably think it’s a super wine. However, I have had great ones, and drink them quite frequently, so for me this is just a good, not profound Rayas. Moreover, I think it needs to be consumed over the next 5-7 years before it loses any intensity.

Winespectator (93)

This continues to evolve, and always benefits from a lot of air time in the glass (or decanter), which allows its lilting, perfumy aromas and light color to become more concentrated and darker. Cherry, rose petal, pine forest, spice and mineral notes hang on the supple frame with deceptive grip on the finish.

BOW (7.50)