2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Pignan
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Tasting notes
Sporting a light, translucent ruby color, the finesse driven 2007 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Pignan Reserve possesses an extraordinarily complex array of sweet kirsch and strawberry styled fruits, green peppercorns, white pepper, garrigue, sappy underbrush on the nose. With air, it continues to gain richness and depth, and at the moment, aromatically, is even better than the straight Rayas. Full-bodied on the palate, with a serious amount of glycerin and viscosity, this thrilling, unique Châteauneuf-du-Pape is perfectly balanced, has beautiful freshness, and a classically styled, lengthy finish. Already drinking beautifully, this should continue to shine for another 15+ years.
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Vivid red. Intensely perfumed, expressive aromas of red and dark berry compote, smoky minerals and incense, along with a deep note of black cardamom. Palate-saturating raspberry and kirsch flavors are complicated by suggestions of licorice pastille and candied lavender, with silky tannins adding support. Becomes sappier with air and finishes with excellent clarity and mineral-laced red fruit character.
As I indicated last year, this estate’s sleeper selection is their 2007 Pignan Chateauneuf du Pape, a 100% Grenache from sandy soils. This offering, aged totally in old foudres and demi-muids, includes some of the declassified Rayas lots, and the 2007 is the finest Pignan since the 1990. A medium ruby color is followed by explosive aromas of sweet kirsch, lavender, licorice, and earth. The wine hits the palate with a blast of fruit and glycerin, full body, and an ethereal lightness and elegance that are remarkable for a wine of such intense fruit. A great effort, it may merit an even higher score after a few years in the bottle. Enjoy it over the next 12-15 years. 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
Bright red. Captivating bouquet of raspberry, anise and garrigue Deep, sweet black raspberry and cherry flavors are complicated by licorice and lavender pastille, with fine-grained tannins adding grip. The licorice note repeats on the strikingly pure and long finish.
About the producer
Ch. Rayas is a cult name in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The wines – pure, silken expressions of Grenache with distinctive perfume – are revered for their singularity and fiercely collected. Made by Emmanuel Reynaud and renowned for their ageability, they have become some of the region's most sought-after.