Chateau de Rayne Vigneau 1998

Pear tart, cream and honey aromas follow through to a full body, with good fruit. Minerally aftertaste, with freshly sliced apricot. Lively and crisp. Medium sweet. Drink now.

Medium light yellow, brilliant. Currently rather restrained bouquet, floral notes, flavors of burnet and acacia honey. On the palate, a mellow, soft acidity, mouth‑filling texture, pectin on the finish, roasted almond notes, and a gently robust bitterness emerging; can still improve, not exactly showing its best side at the moment.

99: Barrel sample (17/20): Ripe, slightly exotic fruit bouquet; pineapple and hints of patchouli. On the palate, juicy on the outside, slightly grainy inside, a nice botrytis note that blends with the acidity, gently dry on the finish. 03: Moderately light yellow; brilliant. For now, the bouquet seems rather restrained; floral notes of burnet and acacia honey. On the palate, plush with soft acidity, mouth-filling extract, pectin, shows roasted almond notes on the finish, but also a gentle, slightly firm bitterness. Can still improve; not exactly showing its best side at the moment. 17/20 2008–2050

Buttery, full and dense bouquet with almonds, buttercream and apricots. Balanced, elegant palate with pronounced sweetness, fine acidity and a velvety texture. Very long, full finish. 18/20 2007 - 2030

Pale yellow-green color. Medium-intensity nose. Fruity. Hint of orgeat milk. Soft entry on the palate, developing into a medium body with a refined mouthfeel. The wine tastes of pear and gently evolves toward a flavorful, not very liqueur-like finish that reprises the flavor of orgeat syrup, with a toasted note from the wood. Pleasant without being complex.