Community Tasting Note

• Ex-Ray Likes this wine: 98 points

  December 8, 2019 - This was one of the first Reynvaans we ever tasted, about eight years ago, and we became instant fans. We love Cayuse and this is out of the same mold, with great Northern Rhone characteristics of smoke, leather, blackberries, earth, all perfectly blended in the nose and on the palate. Very viscous and mouth-coating, full-bodied but smooth and balanced. Just a bit of tannin and some heat on the aftertaste but just about perfect, and perfectly ready. It has now developed the slightest browning at the edges and slight translucency, but it hasn't lost any of its fruit. Time to drink, though.
  Ric

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7 Comments

• Neecies commented:

  11/27/22, 3:44 PM - Would you buy another today at $50? I've been offered one....

• Ex-Ray commented:

  11/27/22, 6:12 PM - If I could buy one for $50 I would. I would plan to drink it soon, with just a short period of airing, like an hour. I recently had my last '09 and it was still great. Post a note if you do buy it and let us know what you think!
  Ric

• Neecies commented:

  11/27/22, 7:57 PM - Ray, stupid STUPID me forgot to rebid on the '08. [aims knife at throat] But I did get 3 ea of the '14 ITR and '14 Stonessences for $50 each, and I'm very happy about that. I skipped that vintage altogether for some reason back in the day.

• Ex-Ray commented:

  11/28/22, 6:14 AM - Put your knife back in the sheath! You've actually done FAR better! I had some hesitation about the age on the '08 but the '14s are great and definitely still going strong. Original price on ITR was $65 and on Stone was $90 (plus shipping and tax) so you're getting a great deal...go for it!
  Ric

• Neecies commented:

  11/28/22, 7:33 AM - Thanks! I happen to love aged wine, so was attracted to the 08. Also, it was not only the first Reynvaan I ever had but up until then I had not cared for syrah. Northern Rhone, hell yes all day, but new world--not so much. So the 08--sentimental. Plus made by Christophe, I would trust his wines to age better. Well aware of the original prices so knew I couldn't go wrong. Anyway, the auction's over and I got outbid on one of the ITRs and an '09 Contender but I did get the other two '14 ITRs and curiously all three of the Stonesssences. Btw, 'Stone' is our last name so it's fun to have these around for that reason alone. Speaking of which had a '12 lately? We opened one last week, which is either in a dumb state or fading. Not as much there in the fruit dept as I expected.

• Ex-Ray commented:

  12/3/22, 6:51 AM - I understand the sentimentality about the '08. I first discovered Reynvaan with their first vintage, '07, bought an ITR and Contender in Seattle, tried both, went back and bought the rest of what they had. Just had a '13 Contender which is outstanding now. Matt Reynvaan was here a couple of years ago, said the '13's were slightly lighter than '12 and '14 and would drink sooner, which is now. The others are richer and can last longer. Enjoy!
  Ric

• Neecies commented:

  12/3/22, 8:00 AM - Sounds heavenly. What you describe sounds perfect to me--I adore older Northern Rhones and aged wines in general. Full secondary or tertiary development are my idea of "ready". Oh hey, my auction shipment arrived yesterday and guess what. Where I had told you that I hadn't bought any 14s? Found three '14 Stonessence in the cellar that weren't listed in inventory so yes I do have that vintage and now own six of those and 2 ITRs. Which doesn't make me unhappy at all. '14 in Washington across the board seem to be aging well in the way I like better than the more fleshier, popular vintages.

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