Doug Powers

9.7

Iodine, smoke, classic well-aged Syrah aromas and flavors, this threw SO MUCH sediment that a decant WAS REQUIRED (and I wish I could post the picture of the sediment glop, it was equally as thick and dark as any great Vintage Porto I’ve ever seen after decanting). This is still youthful in so many ways, and still shows some big tannic structure, for now, it just needs food. Finish is super long, just an amazing “COTES DU RHONE” I purchased in 1986 when we lived in Brooklyn Heights, I was lucky enough to but TWO cases for $150/each, or $12.50/bottle, and I have 2 more bottles for sure!! Simply amazing juice!!!
OK, you guys KNOW I have some backstories here to tell — (1) This wine is a 250-case cuvée, which in this particular bottle’s case was made by the legendary Jacques Reynaud (who owned Rayas and the other properties, Chateau Pignan CdP and Fonsalette CdR, before tragically passing in 1997, when his nephew Emmanuel took over, and Emmanuel himemself just passed); (2) I used to buy Rayas and Pignan back in the 1980s in Brooklyn Heights at my neighborhood wine store, 10 to 15 year old vintages were available for $30 or so per bottle, but last ones I bought were 1988-1990 Pignan and Fonsalette in California; (3) my brother and I used to bring Rayas. (1974, 1976 and 1978) to restaurants in Napa (paying corkage) back in the late 1980s/early 1990s, where very few wait staff even knew what they were; and (4) I personally can no longer play with the big boys for younger vintages, but Rayas and Fonsalette “Cuvée Syrah” are truly collector wines, the latter in particular is built to last 30-50 years, I doubt many folks would ever age them that long, nor find them appealing at age 5/10/15, so most of the above information is likely of no use (last vintage I bought was 1989, but 2 or 3 bottle limit, and those weredrunk long ago). But damn, what a fantastic time capsule of a grape grown in the wrong place (southern France) making such an immortal wine!! Doug — 4 days ago

with Jim

Daniel P. Drake

9.2

Last night we opened the 2019 Château Sérilhan Saint-Estèphe Cru Bourgeois Supérior Médoc. Left Bank Bordeaux blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot by Doctor Alain Reynaud.

On the nose there is black cherry, blackberry, black raspberry, black currant, mint, licorice, pencil shavings, cedar and earth.

On the palate there is black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black currant, green bell pepper, licorice, menthol, graphite and earth.

This is a beautiful medium to full bodied wine with a smooth succulent mouthfeel medium to medium+ acidity and medium + fine grained tannins that leaves you with a medium + to long dark fruit rich earth finish. Enjoy yourselves this weekend, have some fine wines with family and friends and please stay healthy and safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 4 years ago

Shawn Thompson

9.1

Lovely Marsanne; dry, supple with delicious peach , melon and caramelized pineapple notes. Really enjoyed this bottle. Recommend! — 5 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

La Pialade 2012, what can be said. Always a steal to be had and a thrill to find it on a wine list looking to be picked off. Only great wines from Emmanuel Reynaud. A favorite amongst the group. — 6 years ago

Keith Herrick

9.0

Had this on day two and the bottle was a little shaken. A bit passed its prime (but from questionable storage), it was still both enjoyable and very easily identified as a reynaud wine. — 7 years ago

JKT

9.0

This is excellent in showing off that spicy yet lifted Syrah profile — a year ago

Roman Boudou

9.3

Hoogst haalbare qua rosé voor mij (samen met reynaud parisy) — 2 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

I’m glad we still have Randall Grahm to make special wines like this because Lord knows the shitty US importer of Rayas, Pignan, Fonsallette and even Chateau des Tours has decided it’s easier to phone it in by selling out Reynaud Grenaches to the elite “swells” though private channels rather than making it available to less well-heeled wine lovers through normal retail. Fuck that shit. As for my take on this excellent wine, see my most recent note from August 2022 on this, but this is incrementally better and more complex and resolved after several more months’ rest. — 3 years ago

T. Berghaus

8.9

The pure expression of the classic olive taste of Rhone Syrah. Otherwise medium body, medium tannins, m- acidity — 5 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

From the great Henri Bonneau, along with Château Rayas, the master of CDP. (He and Jacques Reynaud were actually dear friends). It’s insanely expressive and its ultra intense aromatics leap from the glass.

The complex bouquet is layered with rich black and red fruit, leather saddle, wilted violets and savory herbs. It just floats on the palate with its supreme elegance, caressing texture and weightless intensity. So Burgundian in that sense. The finish is so long, lifted and intense, leaving you craving another sip when its flavors finally do dissipate. 04 Célestins is a total knockout. — 5 years ago

Rob Imig

9.2

Really great with steak. Bought from Dent Market — 6 years ago

JT

9.0

Dark fruits, intensity and sugar. — 7 years ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.4

Wedged in between the monumental 2005 and 2007 this wine is more delicate but again a true Rayas. Perfect balance, strong kirsch tones and this endless perfume which comes with a sexy Rayas. Reynaud and Bonneau two opposite wines, both great, for me forget all the rest in red chateauneuf. What a joy and privilege to be allowed to drink this. — 8 years ago

Douglas Braun

8.9

2019- Vintage -(Entre Deux Mers) red rim , cherry fruit, rose petal , earth, great six years on — 2 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

While there can no doubt be some bottle variation with these Reynaud wines, when they’re on they’re on and tonight 07 Fonsalette is fantastic, flaunting all of the house signatures. Super intense layers of kirsch cherry, black raspberry, lavender, game, and sweet Rayas spices waft from the glass. The palate is searingly rich and intense but simultaneously focused in its delivery and gives way to a long, silky finale. In a great spot and a top vintage for the estate, for sure. — 3 years ago

Peter H. Kaufmann

8.9

Some residual sweetness and complex natural funk. Fascinating grapes! — 4 years ago

Mario Vaillancourt

9.0

Flash decant this time as usually I open up the “Reynaud wines” a few hours in advance. We started drinking slowly but right away the aromas were very expressive and they opened up slowly to reveal multiple layers of red fruit, spices. I can discern some Grenache to my Burgundian palate but brely, the wine is powerful but approchable at this toung stage, nice freshness and great texture of tannins with an impressive length for a “vin de pays”. 90-91

Ouvert et donné un petit coup de carafe sans ménagement, nous avons commencé à le boire lentement. D’habitude j’ouvre plusieurs heures à l’avance les “vins Reynaud”. Un nez typé avec cette signature tellement envoûtante, expressif dès le départ et a continué à s’ouvrir avec le temps, des fruits rouges de toutes sortes, des épices, plusieurs couches d’arômes s’y développent. La bouche est très fraîche, une trace de Grenache à peine est décelée à mon palais très Bourguignon, le vin est assez puissant mais avec une telle fraîcheur et texture de tannins qui en font un bel ensemble très approchable, même s’il est encore très jeune. Une longueur impressionnante pour le rang et toujours un rapport qualité/prix fort avantageux. 90-91 — 5 years ago

Phil Kessling

9.5

One of the most memorable wines ever. First thing I noticed was the color, very pale garnet. Spice and wet dirt on the nose, very little fruit. The palate was amazing: rusted iron and sandalwood. Each sip was more and more compelling. A wine that you want to drink slowly and to savor. Only 1 bottle, unfortunately. — 5 years ago

Lucas Payá

9.8

No better quality/ price — 6 years ago

Sylvain Rhainds

9.3

2007! On aurait dit du Reynaud! Quelle belle surprise! — 8 years ago