Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This is an unusual CdP. In the sense that is is dark, thick and like chocolate for water.

My first of three bottles.

The nose shows a very light flaw, some soft VA, bandaid. The core is all dark currants, candied, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums-heavier black, black raspberries, hints of raspberries & wafting strawberries. Chocolate cake w/ fudge frosting, incense, black pepper, black coffee, anise to black licorice, grilled meats, crushed rocks, lime-sandstone, dry herbs with floral candied dark, red flowers with liquid violets wrapped in lavender.

The palate reveals; dark currants, candied, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums-heavier black, black raspberries, hints of raspberries, some pomegranate & wafting strawberries. Chocolate cake w/ fudge frosting, caramel, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, incense, Christmas cake, red & dark cola, olive tapenade, black pepper, black coffee, anise to black licorice, smoke, grilled meats, soy sauce, crushed rocks, lime-sandstone, moist clay, dry herbs with dark, gentle dark spices, red& dark flowers with candied liquid violets wrapped in the same candied lavender, grand, round, rainfall acidity w/ a rich, lush, well balanced, nicely toned/structured, elegant finish that shows length that lasts 90-120 seconds and falls on chocolate cake, clay & spice.

Untypical for a CdP to be so thick, round, rich and a bit of wine candy.

93-95 with the meal.

Drink over the next 7-10 yrs and perhaps a couple to three yrs +. Greatly depends on storage and how you like your wines in age. — 8 hours ago

Mike Obley

8.9

Surprisingly good for a waek vintage — 11 days ago

K Brooks

9.0

Quite nice with Shawarma chicken and with roasted leg of lamb. — a month ago

Ed Ryder

9.5

Fab length and lovely limey/tropical finish into savoury. Not bone dry. Delicious. Would age — 22 days ago

Kurt Winrich

9.2

At La Coin in Seattle — a month ago

Helen Patrikis

8.9

Delicate peach, and a hint of bubble gum and lightly herbaceous on the nose. Nice acidity. Fresh and lovely. — a month ago

Diane Ramcharan

9.7

Finally opening this one up! — a month ago

with Michael

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2022 vintage. Tasted from a 375ml sample. Frontal richness, chocolate usually reserved for the high-end, over the top CDP's along with the expected markers/high points down the road. Took two cases of half-bottles. Delicious. 8.5.26. — 10 days ago

Jim Powers

9.4

Classic Besucastel! I first visited this property in 1987, and the Brett character was unmistakeable. This 1990 is aging extremely well. Strong Brett aromas, but the fruit is also strong and in balance. If you are one that thinks Brett is an unforgivable flaw, you will hate this. Great Chateauneuf from a great vintage! Celebrating my son’s 33rd birthday tonight (1993 wasn’t a great vintage in CdP!) with a perfectly grilled NY steak. I am very pleased with this wine — 19 days ago

Jan A

9.0

Very advanced bottle — 21 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Wallys feng — a month ago

Todd Scurci

9.1

#rosé #napa — 19 days ago

with Annie

Scott E. Becker

9.2

[Tasted on July 2, 2026 at Home]
— a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

2021 vintage. Medium body. Compact and muscular. No diversions currently. 7.8.26. — a month ago

Doug Powers

9.1

So, initially I thought this was nowhere near the 1990 Marcoux CdP, and this is Côtes du Rhône (WHAT????), but for a 38 year old CdR, it’s pretty fine, zero tannins, definitely lower alcohol (label says 12.5% ABV, but I’m not buying it?!?!), but no noticeable ABV and smooth and suave, honestly, I attribute the great showing to the 1988 vintage!!? — 15 days ago

with Jim

ESF

9.2

oh yeah baby, we're back - couple of ho hum vintages but this was fantastic! Delicate feminine expression, florals & red fruit & spice - med bodied, well integrated flavors, acidity & tannins... — 13 days ago

Joel Lara

9.4

Upon opening, this seemed a bit disjointed, with muted fruit flavors and strong herbal notes. Decanting didn’t seem to help much, but day 2 it finally opened up nicely, with nice complexity and intensity on the palate. Cherry, raspberry, cassis, bay leaf, dried Italian herbs, anise, cloves, vanilla, cedar, earth, and balsamic notes all come through. Really tasty, but maybe a bit too intense. I can see this improving with a few more years of aging so the flavors coalesce and soften a bit more. — a month ago

Jedidiah Abrams

9.4

Half-bottle — 23 days ago

Her Mir Tage

9.5

Rayas 08 exceeded my expectations — it was in great condition. We decanted it at 3 PM and started drinking at 7 PM. In the first phase, it showed sweet red fruit notes. In the second phase, herbal/vegetal notes emerged. In the third phase, a cooling mintiness appeared.

This bottle wasn't as explosively aromatic as the 07 I opened last time — that 07, after two hours of decanting, unleashed an incredibly rich and enchanting floral bouquet. It was like the scent of a garden transitioning from summer into autumn — grand and opulent, with a hint of fading beauty. Notes of black cherry, rose, and blood orange intertwined, and the aromas kept evolving over time — garrigue, incense — complex and alluring, with a grand structure and a rich, round palate.

The 08, on the other hand, feels more like a refined lady from a scholarly family — graceful, gentle, intellectual, with no aggressive edge. — 2 months ago

Garen Staglin

9.3

Very fresh. Nice fruit and finish. — 2 months ago