Château Rayas: an emblem of the Rhône Valley

Like all the great French vineyards, the Rhône Valley has its emblems. Domaine Rayas is one of them. Situated in the famous commune of Châteauneuf-du-Pape (which is as much a terroir as a town), this 10-hectare estate consists of a shady valley and is renowned for its red wine made exclusively from Grenache Noir (the one hectare devoted to white wine is made from Grenache and Clairette). Highly prized, a bottle of Château Rayas can be hard to come by, given the low production (10,000 bottles a year) that the Rayas estate can sustain

Château Rayas is the most famous wine produced by Emmanuel Reynaud, along with his famous Château de Fonsalette and his Pignan

The best thing about a bottle of Château Rayas is its ageing potential and range of flavours. So, as the list of sought-after appellations goes on, new aromas are added. Château Fonsalette white tends towards a touch of spice and curry, while its red counterpart favours forest fruits. Whichever you choose, all Château Rayas wines display a combination of intensity and smoothness
According to its producer, Château Rayas should be opened several days before tasting to enjoy the full potential of this unique nectar.