1990 Chateau Fonsalette Cuvée Syrah
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Tasting notes
A famous wine that, despite its humble appellation, stood up beautifully to blind comparison with Hermitage La Chapelle from the same vintage. Dark crimson. Sweet, round, slightly dusty with a hint of gunpowder. Round with the tannins fully resolved. The nose was so fresh that I almost thought it was Cabernet at first. Then it became sweeter and more pungent. Much, much sweeter than most Syrahs. Something mineral on the finish. Lovely stuff that declined faster in the glass than the La Chapelle. (JR)
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Very toasty and lively. The fruit is still fresh. Liquorice notes. Really very appealing indeed. Ready now but stunning for its appellation. (JR)
Very deep and crimson. Clean, modern drink. Thick, sweet, like one of the tougher Châteauneufs. Long, hot alcohol. Looks much younger than the regular Fonsalette Côtes du Rhône 1990 tasted alongside. Still quite a Fonsalette end. You would never think that these two wines were the same vintage. (JR)
The opaque black-colored 1990 Cuvee Syrah offers an extraordinary perfume of hickory wood, chocolate, cassis, and black fruits, staggering richness, astonishing opulence, plenty of alcohol, and gobs of tannin. I suspect this massive wine will need at least 10 years of cellaring to reach its zenith. A dazzling effort, this wine does require discipline, as it must be cellared, unless it is consumed by masochists. Imported by Martine's Wines, San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 485-1800, Wines of France, Alain Junguenet, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173, and Ideal Wines, Medford, MA; tel. (617) 395-3300
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.