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Chateau Rayas

2012 Chateau Rayas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape

France Grenache Rhone Chateauneuf-du-Pape 750ML

Wine Advocate

94-97

Vinous

94-96
/
2012 Chateau Rayas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Chateau Rayas

2012 Chateau Rayas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape

France Grenache Rhone Chateauneuf-du-Pape 750ML

Wine Advocate

94-97

Vinous

94-96
/
0 In Stock

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Spoken about in hushed tones by many a collector, Chateau Rayas - and all of its arms from Fonsalette to Chateau des Tours - is known as the greatest Grenache producer in the world. After his uncle Jacques' passing in 1997, Emmanuel Reynaud has continually crafted phenomenal wines from each estate that are sought the world over.

Chateau Rayas

Several generations have run the Chateau Rayas, but Jacques Reynaud took the wines into the stratosphere, where Emmanuel has only served to keep them since his ascendance in 1997. Almost as reticent in accepting his fame as Jacques - who used to hide when cars would approach the Chateau - Emmanuel guards closely his recipe to the legendary wines escaping the estate every year.

We know that the vines are ancient and produce small, intense yields. There is no temperature-control in the cellars, and the wines ferment in concrete before being transferred to ancient barrels of several different sizes. That's it - no magic tricks, just patience; the wines will ferment for about a year, and then will be aged in bottle at the estates until they are deemed ready to drink; routinely vintages are released nearly a decade after their fermentations conclude.

The Chateau wines, Pignan and La Pialade are released from the Chateau Rayas' 13 hectares of red-sand, small-pebbled vineyards, surrounded by forests that create a cool microclimate.

Meet the Producer

Chateau Rayas

Spoken about in hushed tones by many a collector, Chateau Rayas - and all of its arms from Fonsalette to Chateau des Tours - is known as the greatest Grenache producer in the world. After his uncle Jacques' passing in 1997, Emmanuel Reynaud has continually crafted phenomenal wines from each estate that are sought the world over.

Several generations have run the Chateau Rayas, but Jacques Reynaud took the wines into the stratosphere, where Emmanuel has only served to keep them since his ascendance in 1997. Almost as reticent in accepting his fame as Jacques - who used to hide when cars would approach the Chateau - Emmanuel guards closely his recipe to the legendary wines escaping the estate every year.

We know that the vines are ancient and produce small, intense yields. There is no temperature-control in the cellars, and the wines ferment in concrete before being transferred to ancient barrels of several different sizes. That's it - no magic tricks, just patience; the wines will ferment for about a year, and then will be aged in bottle at the estates until they are deemed ready to drink; routinely vintages are released nearly a decade after their fermentations conclude.

The Chateau wines, Pignan and La Pialade are released from the Chateau Rayas' 13 hectares of red-sand, small-pebbled vineyards, surrounded by forests that create a cool microclimate.

The Wine Advocate

Wine Advocate

94-97

The 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape, which was also tasted from multiple barrels as well as a rough final blend, looks spectacular! Nicely concentrated and textured, with a lively, focused feel, it possesses piercing black cherry, kirsch, pine oil, white pepper and hints of gaminess to go with medium to full-bodied richness, fine tannin and bright acidity. While there’s good overall heft and depth here, finesse and elegance are the name of the game, and I suspect it will be relatively accessible in its youth. Most likely needing little introduction, these singular efforts are made by Emmanuel Reynaud from his tiny plot of pure sandy soils located near the center of the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation. Surrounded on all sides by forest (which is unique) and a cool terroir, harvest here goes very late and these wines never lack for power or richness.

Vinous

Vinous

94-96

Presented in three components, as is Reynaud's custom. #1: High-pitched red berry and floral aromas show superb purity and focus. Racy, crisp and concentrated, offering intense raspberry and cherry flavors and a bracing mineral nuance. Finishes long and spicy, with a whiplash of zesty minerality and lingering red fruit. #2: Deeper and darker in profile, offering sweet black raspberry and cherry-cola aromas and flavors and a hint of licorice. Shows impressive power on the close, with dusty tannins coming on late. #3: Spicy, floral dark berry aromas, with an exotic Indian spice note in the background. Stains the palate with powerful blackberry and bitter cherry flavors that are complicated by notes of smoky minerals and lavender. Suave and seamless on the finish, which lingers with excellent tenacity and smooth, harmonious tannins.

What the Critics are Saying

The Wine Advocate

Wine Advocate

94-97

The 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape, which was also tasted from multiple barrels as well as a rough final blend, looks spectacular! Nicely concentrated and textured, with a lively, focused feel, it possesses piercing black cherry, kirsch, pine oil, white pepper and hints of gaminess to go with medium to full-bodied richness, fine tannin and bright acidity. While there’s good overall heft and depth here, finesse and elegance are the name of the game, and I suspect it will be relatively accessible in its youth. Most likely needing little introduction, these singular efforts are made by Emmanuel Reynaud from his tiny plot of pure sandy soils located near the center of the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation. Surrounded on all sides by forest (which is unique) and a cool terroir, harvest here goes very late and these wines never lack for power or richness.

Vinous

Vinous

94-96

Presented in three components, as is Reynaud's custom. #1: High-pitched red berry and floral aromas show superb purity and focus. Racy, crisp and concentrated, offering intense raspberry and cherry flavors and a bracing mineral nuance. Finishes long and spicy, with a whiplash of zesty minerality and lingering red fruit. #2: Deeper and darker in profile, offering sweet black raspberry and cherry-cola aromas and flavors and a hint of licorice. Shows impressive power on the close, with dusty tannins coming on late. #3: Spicy, floral dark berry aromas, with an exotic Indian spice note in the background. Stains the palate with powerful blackberry and bitter cherry flavors that are complicated by notes of smoky minerals and lavender. Suave and seamless on the finish, which lingers with excellent tenacity and smooth, harmonious tannins.