1997 Chateau Rayas Pignan, Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 1x75cl

Vinous – 88

Medium red. Perfumed aromas of cherry, smoke and earth, along with an exotic note of apricot. Thick, smoky and ripe-verging-on-roasted; fat fruit is just short of raisiny. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins. [Stephen Tanzer, 01/01/2000]

Robert Parker – 88

The 1997 Pignan Chateauneuf du Pape, made from 100% Grenache, reveals a deceptively unimpressive medium ruby color, but intense, sweet, raspberry and cherry fruit mixed with kirsch liqueur. Spicy, with pepper, roasted peanut, and fine ripeness, it will drink well early, and last for 7-10 years. Importers: Martine’s Wines, San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 485-1800 and Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173 [28/02/1999]