2001 Ch̢teau Rayas Ch̢uteauneuf-du-Pape R̩serv̩

This vintage has not expanded as the great Rayas vintages do, but it has held steady, with supple notes of cherry compote, red licorice, shiso leaf and sandalwood, all laced with a hint of bay leaf. Keeps the house style, but doesn't show quite the depth of the more recent vintages, since Emmanuel Reynaud got rolling. (Web-2012)