2011 Château Rayas Château de Fonsalette Côtes du Rhône Rouge Reserve
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Tasting notes
The 2011 Fonsalette Côtes du Rhône showed beautifully, with the ripe, perfumed, yet light-on-its-feet style of the vintage. Revealing a lively ruby hue as well as a gorgeous nose of sweet kirsch, redcurrants, garrigue, and spicy, flower notes, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, and outstanding length. It's fully mature and drinking brilliantly yet has at least another decade of prime drinking.
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Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
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87% Grenache Blanc, 8% Clairette, 5% Marsanne; grown 30 km north of Châteauneuf near Bollène where the mistral blows. A much cooler site. Yet this wine is wonderfully rich and round. Honey and quince. How does he do it? (Produce something so clean and pure in a winery that smells like a byre.) (JR)
About the producer
Ch. Rayas is a cult name in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The wines – pure, silken expressions of Grenache with distinctive perfume – are revered for their singularity and fiercely collected. Made by Emmanuel Reynaud and renowned for their ageability, they have become some of the region's most sought-after.