I fully expected not to like this. 2 things against it for me is the 03 vintage which I own none of from any region and its a white Rhone. So then I taste it and it has the sort of lift and energy you expect from a more classic vintage and it doesn't have the usual white Rhone overbearing waxiness that dulls the palate of most of them. Amazing, I really did enjoy this wine! I have only one explanation why this btl was so good. Lonny's Karma! Same btl as R&Rler. He has all the descriptors I'd otherwise post.
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Rhones and More at Jimmy's (Jimmy's Place, Mpls): Medium gold color. Drank 1 glass over 45 minutes. Color me shocked, but this was a head turner, flat out stunning. This had so much going on it is not funny. Honey, wax, golden fruits, nuts and nut skins, aromatic. This was fresh and lively on the palate, guilded fruits, clea and bright with the purity showing. Medium body, long and really exhilarating. Unexpected, thrilling, 93+pts.
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Duo de vin gras ! Nez qui présume de l'oxydation. Bien gras en bouche justement mais bien élégant quand même. Semble plus accessible que le Chave mais bien moins complexe. Un peu de rancio et noisettes.Un petit miel en final qui fait claquer la langue. 17/20
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Decanted for an hour and then finished later in the evening. This wine is still showing well. Ripe pears and green apple through the nose and palate. Herbaceousness disappears with decanting. Finish is long.
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A bunch of Rayas @ Peter's (New Rochelle, NY): Good palate presence, with marzipan, peaches and honey; some stoney nuances. The acids are solid, given the vintage. Still drinking well.
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I think most people were surprised how well this was drinking for a 2003. A palate of white fruits, white pepper and a faint hint of nuts. Fresh and inticing. This will live on. Again, a wine that needs food.
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Rayas dinner at Peter's (New Rochelle, NY): A shock to see this is from 2003 given how fresh and bright the flavours seem. It's certainly ripe with bright peachy and white cherry flavours tinged with pepper and herbs, but it's beautifully balanced with bright acids and there's a sense of lightness and freshness here that's quite remarkable for the vintage.
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Rhone & Rhone Style Wine Tasting (Pappas Bros.): The nose had rose petals, melon, spice, and a little honey. The palate had lots of floral notes, some melon and beeswax, and a slight honey finish.
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Fat, mouth-coating and alcoholic, per the vintage. Dried apricot and nectarines and lovely orange flower water, reasonable acidity. Not a great wine for Shanghainese food, seemed to lack a focus point, but a very well made wine from a difficult vintage.
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Sandy's BDAY party -- Nicely balanced and refreshing for an '03, not showing that vintage character much at all. Loads of ripe fruit, but good minerality and balance. Nice white.
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How typical for a great producer to produce an outstanding wine even in a hot year like 2003. I threw the wine into a decanter and that was clearly needed. The color is pale yellow. Muted flowers, green fruit and hint of honey on the nose. After an hour or so, an explosion of flowers, white peach and pear on the palate. Good freshness and acidity. Rich, but very soft and smooth wine with good clarity. A bit of honey and nuts on the back palate as well. Superb. Worked as an aperitif, but would go well with seafood as well.
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15th Feb 2009: its a nice white, easy to drink. perhaps, i am not giving this style due credit by comparing it with the robust styles of the NZ SBs...but this style is very timid for my taste buds...
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08 Nov 2008: the bouquet was was sweet. on the palette, it was very promising...very much like SB...however, the finish was anti-climatic as the expectation was for more....like it was not quite complete...but still quite a good drink.....
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Big ripe juicy white with loads of candied fruit, rich coconut and steely almondy notes. Hot--yes--but lovely balance. A touch of cinnamon and orange blossom.
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3/18/2018 - chablis28 wrote: 93 Points
I fully expected not to like this. 2 things against it for me is the 03 vintage which I own none of from any region and its a white Rhone. So then I taste it and it has the sort of lift and energy you expect from a more classic vintage and it doesn't have the usual white Rhone overbearing waxiness that dulls the palate of most of them. Amazing, I really did enjoy this wine! I have only one explanation why this btl was so good. Lonny's Karma! Same btl as R&Rler. He has all the descriptors I'd otherwise post.
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3/18/2018 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Rhones and More at Jimmy's (Jimmy's Place, Mpls): Medium gold color. Drank 1 glass over 45 minutes. Color me shocked, but this was a head turner, flat out stunning. This had so much going on it is not funny. Honey, wax, golden fruits, nuts and nut skins, aromatic. This was fresh and lively on the palate, guilded fruits, clea and bright with the purity showing. Medium body, long and really exhilarating. Unexpected, thrilling, 93+pts.
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9/9/2017 - beatles wrote: 91 Points
PB 50 Rayas Extravarganza (PB's house, Charlottenlund): Rich. Mineral. Bees wax. A real charmer, a bit broad, maybe, the vintage speaks, but is difficult not to like this one.
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12/8/2015 - phil the agony wrote: 92 Points
Duo de vin gras ! Nez qui présume de l'oxydation.
Bien gras en bouche justement mais bien élégant quand même.
Semble plus accessible que le Chave mais bien moins complexe.
Un peu de rancio et noisettes.Un petit miel en final qui fait claquer la langue.
17/20
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12/6/2015 - Villon wrote: 90 Points
Nez sur l'oxydation, pommes et noisettes. Gras, long en bouche, finale sur les amers, avec un peu de chauffe.
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6/18/2014 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 90 Points
Chateau Rayas and others (Grace Restaurant Chicago, IL): darker color and deeper nose, sutle flavor, was a very hot year. riper and more concentrated. Spent 34 months in the bottle before release...bravo
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12/31/2012 - kurishin Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for an hour and then finished later in the evening. This wine is still showing well. Ripe pears and green apple through the nose and palate. Herbaceousness disappears with decanting. Finish is long.
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3/3/2012 - mdefreitas wrote: 91 Points
A bunch of Rayas @ Peter's (New Rochelle, NY): Good palate presence, with marzipan, peaches and honey; some stoney nuances. The acids are solid, given the vintage. Still drinking well.
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3/3/2012 - pbaek wrote:
I think most people were surprised how well this was drinking for a 2003. A palate of white fruits, white pepper and a faint hint of nuts. Fresh and inticing. This will live on. Again, a wine that needs food.
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3/3/2012 - salil wrote: 91 Points
Rayas dinner at Peter's (New Rochelle, NY): A shock to see this is from 2003 given how fresh and bright the flavours seem. It's certainly ripe with bright peachy and white cherry flavours tinged with pepper and herbs, but it's beautifully balanced with bright acids and there's a sense of lightness and freshness here that's quite remarkable for the vintage.
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4/23/2010 - mmurry Likes this wine: 89 Points
Rhone & Rhone Style Wine Tasting (Pappas Bros.): The nose had rose petals, melon, spice, and a little honey. The palate had lots of floral notes, some melon and beeswax, and a slight honey finish.
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2/24/2010 - pilsbry wrote: 89 Points
Fat, mouth-coating and alcoholic, per the vintage. Dried apricot and nectarines and lovely orange flower water, reasonable acidity. Not a great wine for Shanghainese food, seemed to lack a focus point, but a very well made wine from a difficult vintage.
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8/29/2009 - danstrings wrote: 90 Points
Sandy's BDAY party -- Nicely balanced and refreshing for an '03, not showing that vintage character much at all. Loads of ripe fruit, but good minerality and balance. Nice white.
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6/5/2009 - pbaek wrote:
How typical for a great producer to produce an outstanding wine even in a hot year like 2003. I threw the wine into a decanter and that was clearly needed. The color is pale yellow. Muted flowers, green fruit and hint of honey on the nose. After an hour or so, an explosion of flowers, white peach and pear on the palate. Good freshness and acidity. Rich, but very soft and smooth wine with good clarity. A bit of honey and nuts on the back palate as well. Superb. Worked as an aperitif, but would go well with seafood as well.
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2/18/2009 - danstrings wrote: 89 Points
Rob's Top Chef... A big and ripe style, but I found it very drinkable and having enough balance to be good. Loaded with honeyed ripe fruits.
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2/15/2009 - willmark wrote: 80 Points
15th Feb 2009: its a nice white, easy to drink. perhaps, i am not giving this style due credit by comparing it with the robust styles of the NZ SBs...but this style is very timid for my taste buds...
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11/8/2008 - willmark wrote: 88 Points
08 Nov 2008: the bouquet was was sweet. on the palette, it was very promising...very much like SB...however, the finish was anti-climatic as the expectation was for more....like it was not quite complete...but still quite a good drink.....
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1/25/2008 - danstrings wrote: 90 Points
Fresh and lemony citrus at first, but as it warmed up the classic Rhone hazelnut and buttery oil started to emerge
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12/30/2006 - danstrings wrote: 91 Points
David Karin Oola--gorgeous, ripe, fresh.. loads of candied fruit, great with a truffled ravioli.
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5/27/2006 - danstrings wrote: 91 Points
Big ripe juicy white with loads of candied fruit, rich coconut and steely almondy notes. Hot--yes--but lovely balance. A touch of cinnamon and orange blossom.
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