A study in exceptions, Château Rayas defies what we think we know about the Southern Rhône. The mythology that Châteauneuf-du-Pape is known for- the Galet stones, the Historic echos of the Papal Kings, blended wines of up to 13 varieties…none of these stereotypes are exactly true for arguably one of the greatest producers of the Southern Rhône Valley- Château Rayas.
Founded in the early 1800s by Albert Reynaud, Château Rayas quickly gained recognition for its commitment to crafting wines of utmost quality. Despite its shorter history, Rayas has become one of the most collectable wines of the Southern Rhône, shrouded in the mysticism of being highly allocated and extremely long lived. The Estate Is continued by the founding family by the current generation, Emmanuel Reynaud, who oversees the winemaking at Château Rayas, Château Fonsalette and Château de Tours.
At Château Rayas we see 100% Grenache- a grape that retains age worthy acidity in extremely hot microclimates, grown in an eponymous lieu dit where we see the real magic of the Southern Rhône soils- Clay and Sand. The sandy plots produce the Grenache contributing to the flagship wine- that the extremely poor soils create a wine of great concentration. Pignan, effectively the second wine of the estate, is sourced from vines in the Pignan lieu dit, planted in the 1980s- and often has much older vines blended into it since the vines planted in the sandy soils of Rayas cannot sustain the same longevity. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, made from Grenache Blanc and Clairette vines planted in the 1940s, is even more difficult to obtain than the Red Wines due to the smaller production, making it a sought-after collector's item.
Château Fonsalette, a Côtes-du-Rhône from the edge of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, is farmed with such ferociously low yields it produces age-worthy wines that outclass most actual Châteauneuf-du-Papes. The slightly cooler vineyards here can give it more color concentration than Rayas with firmer tannins. The Reynaud family showcase their deft hand at other varieties by producing a special cuvee of Fonsalette from a north-facing vineyard of Syrah. This special bottling shows the refined, animalistic characteristics of well executed Syrah. The Fonsalette Blanc is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Marsanne, and can be even more stunning than the Rayas Blanc in some vintages.
Château de Tours, the third property of the Reynaud family, is located in the hidden gem of Vacqueyras. The Reserve bottling of these wines are intriguing blends of 90% Grenache with a touch of Syrah- soft and ripe. The Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Blends Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, which shows the elegance of this region in the right hands and demonstrates how collectable Vaucluse can be for those clever enough to snap them up.
The enduring legacy of Château Rayas is a testament to the estate's unwavering commitment to tradition, quality, and the artistry of winemaking. As wine enthusiasts savor the exquisite offerings from Château Rayas, they are not just enjoying a glass of wine; they are experiencing a sip of the timeless elegance that defines this legendary winery in the Southern Rhône Valley.