The 2005 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve exhibits a slightly transparent, ruby red color as well as knockout aromatics of garrigue, kirsch, raspberries, and smoke. With air, some black tea leaves and licorice notes follow. The wine is beautifully perfumed, complex and nuanced. In the mouth, it’s full bodied with sweet fruit, a soft, supple texture and a blockbuster finish. While I think this clearly surpasses the ’04 (a fantastic wine in its own right), I’m not sure it hits the heights of the ’89,’90 or ’95. Time will tell though and this is a gorgeous Rayas that should drink beautifully over the next 20 years.

(17.5+/20) Very pale rusty ruby. Light, gamey nose with rich candied rose petal aromas. Clean, fresh palate entry and remarkably light. Very fine tannins still there on the finish but this is so different from most people's conception of big, bold red Châteauneuf-du-Pape! Savoury, briary finish. Once those tannins soar into the atmosphere this should be pure hedonistic, rather burgundian pleasure. It grew in the glass, somehow apparently attaining more body and presence.