1990 CHATEAU RAYAS Rouge 1990

(01-2003) As for the 1990, I have had the good fortune to drink nearly three cases, and it has been one of the triumphs of my cellar. A mere 1-2 years ago, I enjoyed a succession of perfect “100 point” bottles, but the last several bottles have merited 96-100 points, perhaps revealing the direction of this wine’s evolution. Nevertheless, this is riveting stuff. A legendary Rayas made from extremely ripe Grenache, it exhibits notes of over-ripe kirsch, raspberries, cherries, game, licorice, and tobacco. This unctuously-textured, thick, juicy Chateauneuf must tip the scale at 15.5% alcohol. It is truly a Rhone Valley monument.

(11-2015) This is a perfect Rayas with so much elegance and depth that on the nose it is like Burgundy but the palate is clearly southern Rhone. The wine is exuberant with layers of sweet spices, cinnamon and cloves being one of a dozen, combined with dried berries and thyme, dried bay leaf and roasted rosemary. The sweetness along with firm acidity and light tannins creates a backbone on this wine that will see it through many decades. A phenomenal wine.

(10-2010) Mature ruby with a pale rim. Sweet and rich and vibrant. Heady and medicinal in a thoroughly good way. Great freshness. Jewels and spice. Bravo! Still lots of life!

(01-2001) Rich, spicy; soft, full, fleshy, with fairly swingeing tannic finish.

(02-2020) An incredible tasting experience. The wealth of sweet, ripe, silky, refined cherries and kirsch is almost beyond belief. Not quite as concentrated or fresh as it was just a few years ago, this stunner offers a uniqueness of character not found in other wines. The purity in the fruit is spell-binding. There is length, complexity and sensuality that grabs you and keeps your interest from start to finish. This is not a wine to hold for further development. While the decline will be slow, it's best to catch this at, or close to its peak and not on the way down.