Chateau RAYAS REVELATIONS: 6 Takeaways for Wine Collectors

[@vinvoyage]

All I need to know about Chateau Rayas, I learned from Attorney Somm! Referencing the book by Robert Fulghum here.😂 But seriously, it’s an absolute pleasure to listen to and learn from this video that includes your takeaways from your special vertical wine tasting of 7 outstanding vintages of Chateau Rayas. I feel like I’ve learned so much from this video in just a matter of minutes than from a longer video or post. The backstory behind this Château, the terroir including the soil and the climate, the comparison to high-end Grand Cru Burgundy, and so many more insights and learnings - what a concise yet comprehensive and insightful video! While I haven’t tasted this excellent wine, I have tried the Domaine des Tours during my almost one-week-stay in Vaucluse some years ago. Thank you, John, for this outstanding video on such a phenomenal producer. Your astute insights and expert takeaways are much appreciated! I’ll be sure to try and have a little piece of the Rayas paradise and experience - if I can 😅 - the next time I visit the Southern Rhône. Very nice background view in your video, by the way. Cheers and happy travels, John!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much, Margaux! Greatly appreciate it! Such a fabulous producer! Appreciate your thoughtful feedback! Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers!

[@vinvoyage]

@@AttorneySomm My pleasure, John! I’m so glad you made this video. So many insights and takeaways! Cheers!

[@nadirali3421]

❤🎉 very good food 🥑🥝

[@AttorneySomm]

@@nadirali3421 Thank you

[@MaNieL31]

Hi John, I like your content very much. There is an alternative to rayas and pignan that you haven't mentionned though, and which is deemed higher-end than chateau des tours. It's château fonsalette which is owned and produced by the reynaud family. Prices have crept up quite heavily too but it's still a nice testimony of rayas' house touch with a (slightly) lighter price tag.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! I’ll have to try Fonsalette. Appreciate your input.

[@acidDrop2000]

your breakdowns of specific producers are top notch

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Appreciate the feedback. Very glad you enjoy them! 👍🍷

[@gerardgreen3441]

You are so right about finding Rayas in restaurants in France. My best was finding it in St Emilion. 200euros a bottle and I was able (with friends!) to have the 2000 and the 2003. A fabulous experience! I hasten to add we had some terrific St Emilions too. - Canon and Eglise Clinet.

[@AttorneySomm]

Very nice! Sounds like a fantastic night!

[@angusmcmillan8981]

I strongly endorse your recommendation of Domaine des Tours, not a CdP as you say but by the same producer and also made from Grenache. It’s stunning and a revelation as to what Grenache can do. Sadly prices are creeping up, but still affordable compared with Rayas.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Completely agree with you. 👍🍷

[@vinvoyage]

Thank you for the pin, John! Greatly appreciate it!

[@AttorneySomm]

You’re very welcome!

[@gerardgreen3441]

Have you tried Fonsalette? Also by the Reynauds. It’s a Cote du Rhone and is not as likely to drain the bank balance. A brilliant wine which hides in its lowly status.

[@AttorneySomm]

Not yet! Haven’t tracked one down yet. Definitely on my list!

[@distlledbrewedreviewed]

Great info my friend.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you kindly! Cheers!

[@megatrendy1]

I has once the 2007 Rayas and it dudn‘t blew me away. I still do have a 2004 and a 2009 bottle in my cellar which are awaiting me. Cheers!🍷

[@AttorneySomm]

Hopefully you enjoy those two more. For what it is worth, I had the 07 and 04 as the bottom two in this lineup.

[@stevenholt4936]

I assume, from your praise for Rayas, that you would place it above both Beaucastel and Vieux Telegraph in the pantheon of great ChnduP domaines. Any others come close?

[@AttorneySomm]

As much as I enjoy done others, for me Rayas is the top. Henri Bonneau is up there too.

[@ronmcmartin4513]

@@AttorneySomm--Bonneau Celestins is odd for me, because the off-vintages seem to be better. But I haven't tasted them(or "Rah-yahs") since 2001 vintage. Your thoughts?

[@AttorneySomm]

@@ronmcmartin4513 I need to taste more of them before weighing in. It’s a producer I haven’t had much experience with recently.

[@baileyklink1416]

Grenache is KING

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks! It can definitely be pretty special!

[@louishenry4714]

important precision: Pignan is not to be considered as a second wine of Rayas. It is a different plot than Rayas, with a different expression and a different identity. With a higher proportion of clay in its soils, Pignan tends to more powerful and exuberant, more "chateauneuf-esque" than Rayas, yet with the deep and unique identity of the Reynaud family wines. It is more like a different climate in a burgundy meaning. A tremendous wine, which i personnaly think can easily outstand Rayas on some vintages. The real "second wine" of Rayas is a cuvée called "la Pialade" which is a blend of the lesser quality grapes and young vines of Rayas & Fonsalette. Pretty cool wine as well. Not surprised with your 2007-2008 comparison. 2008 is widely considered a rockstar vintage for Rayas while being a weak vintage in the Rhône valley. Exact opposite for 2007, great vintage in the whole rhone valley but mostly underperforming when it comes to Rayas.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you for weighing in. Appreciate your insights.