A much lighter style of wine, but showing far better now that it has had some time in bottle, is Emmanuel Reynaud’s 2008 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape. Medium ruby, with a classic nose of kirsch liqueur intermixed with Provencal herbs, sandy, loamy soil notes, some licorice and steak tartare, this wine is fleshy, medium to full-bodied, round, generous, and surprisingly seductive and luscious. I wouldn’t be surprised if many tasters prefer this over the bigger, richer, more structured and potentially far greater 2007, at least for the next 4-5 years. This is a sensational effort and one of the finest wines of the vintage, the most challenging year in Chateauneuf du Pape since the historical deluge in 2002. Drink: 2012 - 2017
-Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #203 Oct 2012

Vivid red. Pure, expressive aromas of red and dark berries, potpourri, licorice and rose. Juicy, spicy and fresh, with sexy raspberry and cherry flavors accentuated by smoky minerality. Intense and light on its feet, finishing very long and aromatic, augmented by firm mineral cut and very impressive clarity.

Tasting through the three separate lots that will make up the 2008 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape suggests this is going to be another very good vintage for the property. These wines rarely have a lot of color (a recent exception being the 2007), but the 2008 exhibits classic sandy, loamy soil, kirsch, licorice, and a notion of tobacco leaf notes. Surprisingly fleshy, upfront, and precocious for a young Rayas, it has the requisite fruit concentration to merit an outstanding rating. It is one of the outstanding successes of the vintage. (Not yet released) 2007 may be Emmanuel Reynaud’s greatest vintage since he took over the management of this estate when his uncle, Jacques Reynaud, died in 1997. Importer: Martine’s Wines, Novato, CA; tel. (415) 883-0400