The dark ruby-colored 1999 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape admirably conceals its 15% alcohol. With serious structure and tannin, this medium to full-bodied, closed 1999 offers beautiful, sweet kirsch liqueur notes in the aromatics and on the attack, but it tightens in the finish. Drink: 2001 - 2012
-Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #138 Dec 2001

Medium red-ruby. Smoky redcurrant nose, with hints of game, leather and pepper; surmuri notes of dried fruits. Fat but quite fine; less sweet and fruit-driven today than the Pignan but more complex, more serious. This has solid structure for aging. "The Pignan always tastes better young than Rayas," Reynaud points out.

The 1999 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape is soft, with a strawberry liqueur/framboise character, high glycerin, low acidity, a fat, opulent texture, and a long, forward personality. It will be an outstanding Rayas, but does it have the grip, density, and structure to be profound? Anticipated maturity: 2001-2012. Importers: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173 and Martine's Wines, Novato, CA; tel. (415) 883-0400