Eric Texier wrote:1995 is one of the greatest wines produced post 1985. But in perspective of the vintage, 1994 is one of the very best wine produced in France. How , the fuck Emmanuel Reynaud, and Jacques before him, does this? I would give my remaining Gentaz just to know 10% of it...
The 1995 Rayas is indeed a great wine. In February 2010, I opened my lone bottle alongside 1995s from Trévallon, Auguste Clape, Jean-Louis Chave (including Hermitage blanc), Beaucastel, Pégau Cuvée Laurence, Vieux Télégraphe, Vieux Donjon, and Henri Bonneau Réserve des Célestins. I purchased these on release. We also had a 1996 Léon Barral Jadis in the mix (though I've always favored the regular Faugères from Didier Barral). All the wines showed very well. Chave and Rayas were most impressive, as was Vieux Télégraphe. Unfortunately, the Clape Cornas was corked, but I had this vintage numerous times before, including bottles at Willi's Wine Bar in Paris. It's one of my favorites. (John Livingstone-Learmonth is spot-on.)
As for 1994, I've had a number of great bottles from the Rhône, including Châteauneufs from Clos du Mont-Olivet, Clos des Papes, Vieux Télégraphe, Pégau Cuvée Réservée and Cuvée Laurence, and Vieux Donjon, among others. From the northern Rhône, I've liked J-L Chave, Auguste Clape, and Thierry Allemand Reynard from this vintage. In Bandol, I would include 1994 Domaine Tempier La Tourtine as another favorite.