Chateauneuf du Pape Chateau Rayas 2004

Falstaff: Mittleres Karmingranat, orange Randaufhellung, breiter Wasserrand. Feine Mischung aus Erdbeerkonfitüre und ­Trockengewürzen, zart nach Orangenzesten, mit schwarzer Kirschenfrucht unterlegt. Elegante Textur, harmonisch, mit feinen Tanninen ausgestattet, extraktsüßer Nachhall, rund und zugänglich, hat bereits eine gute Trinkreife erreicht. Insgesamt ein stattlicher Wein mit Charme. 93/100 (2012)

Parker: The deep ruby 2004 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape is a structured wine that seems to have closed down from the component part tasting last year. It is medium-bodied with sweet, ripe black cherry and raspberry notes, some crushed rocks, and that distinctive minerality that Rayas seems to provide. The wine reveals more structure this year, and therefore seems to need 2-4 years of bottle age and should keep for 15-16. Stylistically, it is more than just a coincidence that it resembles the 1994, which has turned out very well and is beginning to drink beautifully in the classic Rayas style. 92/100 (2007)