Lot presentation

Côtes du Rhône Cuvée Syrah Château de Fonsalette 1996

The wine

Undeniably linked to Château Rayas, the emblematic domain of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Fonsalette produces wines of very good quality. At the head of the two domains, Emmanuel Raynaud assembled the Syrahs of the domain’s two plots to create this Côtes-du-Rhône. Aged in old casks, this cuvée is closer in its finesse and aromatic intensity to the great Syrahs of northern Vallée du Nord. Its ageing potential is around 25 years.

About the Producer Château de Fonsalette

Château de Fonsalette in the commune of Lagarde-Paréol in the north of Orange is managed by Emmanuel Reynaud who also runs Château Rayas and Domaine des Tours. The property owns some 10 hectares of vineyards planted in the midst of woodland and olive trees. The wines are produced and sold at Rayas. Emmanuel's great-uncle, Louis, bought Château de Fonsalette in 1945. He was succeeded at the helm of both Rayas and Fonsalette by his youngest son Jacques in 1978. When Jacques died suddenly in 1997, his nephew Emanuel took over management of all three properties. The vineyards are planted to Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah for red wine and to Grenache, Clairette and Marsanne for white wine. Fonsalette is one of the region's most exceptional domains and like Château Rayas and Château des Tours, its wines are highly prized for their finesse, elegance and very attractive ageing potential.

Detailed characteristics