1985 Château Rayas Château de Fonsalette Côtes du Rhône Syrah Reserve

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Tasting notes

Tasting notes
Score 92/100 · Robert Parker, Feb 1996

A backward, soft, inky/purple-colored wine, the 1985 Cuvee Syrah remains monolithic and unevolved. Tasted blind, it could easily be mistaken for a barrel sample from a recent vintage. It is still thick and juicy, with tremendous quantities of black fruits, particularly cassis, but there are no signs of evolution. Owners are advised to either drink it (if you like grapy, exuberant, uncomplicated, mouthfilling red wines), or give it another 2-6 years of cellaring and hope more complexity will emerge from this big, beefy wine. 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

Critic scores

Critic scores
92
92/100

Robert Parker

About the producer

ch-rayas-singular-chateauneuf-du-pape
Chateau Rayas

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.

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Product details

Colour

Red

Taste

Dry

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