Encépagement |
98% Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Terret Noir, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Muscardin, Clairette, Piquepoul, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Picardan |
| Caractéristiques
générales du vin |
Chateau Rayas is among the greatest French wines. Many connoisseurs consider it as the best wine of the appellation. This domain was created relatively recently by Louis Reynaud (the vines were planted in early 1920), who did not hesitated to distance himself from practices normally observed in Chateauneuf du Pape. In a region traditionally hit by the sun in summer, he directed most of its vineyards to the north and focused mainly on a single grape, grenache, where the appellation authorizes thirteen. His son Jacques, which is portrayed as an atypical, even eccentric man, took over the estate, bringing the wines to the heights of quality, while using traditional techniques. The estate is now managed by his nephew, Emmanuel Reynaud. A peculiarity of this Chateauneuf du Pape: it consists in an overwhelming proportion of Grenache grapes - about 98% of the blend. Favoring low yields (just 18 hectoliters per hectare), the winemaker lets this exceptional terroir express its character. The sandy soil does not contain the famous pebble bed typical of the appellation, as Louis Reynaud would have removed them... by hand! Fermentation takes place in cement tanks, and the maturation of 20 months is conducted in old oak barrels. Chateau Rayas reaches in great vintages an impressive and delicate creaminess. Extraordinary aromas of cherry and raspberry characterize this wine of finesse and power unmatched in the appellation. Notice, the estate produces a second wine, Chateau Pignan, of impeccable quality.
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