Château Rayas

Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache Blend

9.51286 ratings
9.5514 pro ratings
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
Grenache Blend
Beef, Onion, Pungent Cheese, Hard Cheese, Lamb, Mushrooms, Pasta, Tomato-Based, Salami & Prosciutto, Pork, Venison
Top Notes For
Gilbert Van Hassel

The wine is old and borderline maderized. Unfortunately just got a case of this.

The wine is old and borderline maderized. Unfortunately just got a case of this.

Feb 1st, 2024
Drew Summers

Sales Northampton Wines

9.6

Marc Fosh Guest Chef Dinner: Night 1

Marc Fosh Guest Chef Dinner: Night 1

Dec 2nd, 2023
Ira Schwartz

With a table full of giants , for many this was the WOTD. Text book Rayas on the nose; strawberry, cherry, spices and  kirsch.
This is a wine that makes love to your palate. Teasing and caressing your mouth with harmonious waves of elegant and balanced fruit. A great Rayas in a poor vintage for CDP. However for me the partner in life is the 2005 , which has complexity and concentration that puts that one in the Hall of Fame along with ‘78, ‘90 & ‘95

With a table full of giants , for many this was the WOTD. Text book Rayas on the nose; strawberry, cherry, spices and  kirsch.
This is a wine that makes love to your palate. Teasing and caressing your mouth with harmonious waves of elegant and balanced fruit. A great Rayas in a poor vintage for CDP. However for me the partner in life is the 2005 , which has complexity and concentration that puts that one in the Hall of Fame along with ‘78, ‘90 & ‘95

Oct 31st, 2023
Jay Kline

Served double-blind as a sort of epilogue to an already epic night. This was served alongside another red wine that was also presented double-blind. Immediately, I called this Southern Rhone and the other wine, Sangiovese from Toscano (it ended up being a 2012 Biondi Santi Riserva). This presented a bright ruby color in the glass with a transparent core. This wine…had an OMG nose. The kind of aromatics that could end all wars and bring a century of peace to all mankind. It’s both powerful and elegant. Both ripe and fresh. An androgynous wine that represents both masculine and feminine with a grace that would make Prince or David Bowie envious. Gorgeously layered red and dark fruits, exotic spices, licorice and garrigue wrapped in the most beautifully textured package imaginable. It reminded me of something similar a previous experience; like Fonsalette…but this was different, there was more here. When you taste this, everything becomes clear. You look at everyone at the table differently; for what you have more in common instead of what makes us different. An experience akin to an Odesza show on MDMA. It’s that profound and then you are forever changed. You wake up the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that and weeks go by and your worldview is different. You see love in everything. And then it was revealed to be a 2010 Chateau Rayas. *Insert expletive*. A magnificent wine. An epiphany and, as far as I’m concerned, perfect. This is not merely a great Chateauneuf du Pape. This transcends the appellation. It should be its own AOC. Drink now or whenever you’re reading this note.

Served double-blind as a sort of epilogue to an already epic night. This was served alongside another red wine that was also presented double-blind. Immediately, I called this Southern Rhone and the other wine, Sangiovese from Toscano (it ended up being a 2012 Biondi Santi Riserva). This presented a bright ruby color in the glass with a transparent core. This wine…had an OMG nose. The kind of aromatics that could end all wars and bring a century of peace to all mankind. It’s both powerful and elegant. Both ripe and fresh. An androgynous wine that represents both masculine and feminine with a grace that would make Prince or David Bowie envious. Gorgeously layered red and dark fruits, exotic spices, licorice and garrigue wrapped in the most beautifully textured package imaginable. It reminded me of something similar a previous experience; like Fonsalette…but this was different, there was more here. When you taste this, everything becomes clear. You look at everyone at the table differently; for what you have more in common instead of what makes us different. An experience akin to an Odesza show on MDMA. It’s that profound and then you are forever changed. You wake up the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that and weeks go by and your worldview is different. You see love in everything. And then it was revealed to be a 2010 Chateau Rayas. *Insert expletive*. A magnificent wine. An epiphany and, as far as I’m concerned, perfect. This is not merely a great Chateauneuf du Pape. This transcends the appellation. It should be its own AOC. Drink now or whenever you’re reading this note.

Jun 19th, 2023
Chad Melville

Beauty, pure, lifted. Ripe no doubt.
It’s as good as it gets with Grenache

Beauty, pure, lifted. Ripe no doubt.
It’s as good as it gets with Grenache

Apr 12th, 2023
Ira Schwartz

Whatever you want to call me , Rayas fanboy, groupie, fanatic, I am guilty as charged.
After a night of drinking some very special burgundy and champagne , I pulled this out as the evenings festivities were coming to an end. No decant just a pop and pour . Like a great racehorse it overcame many challenges and handicaps before it emerged victorious . Meteorites of cherry, raspberry and mint assault your nose. In the mouth, pure red fruit is joined by pepper and earth where it all combines to stage a “sit in “ that does not end. A gift from Bacchus

Whatever you want to call me , Rayas fanboy, groupie, fanatic, I am guilty as charged.
After a night of drinking some very special burgundy and champagne , I pulled this out as the evenings festivities were coming to an end. No decant just a pop and pour . Like a great racehorse it overcame many challenges and handicaps before it emerged victorious . Meteorites of cherry, raspberry and mint assault your nose. In the mouth, pure red fruit is joined by pepper and earth where it all combines to stage a “sit in “ that does not end. A gift from Bacchus

Apr 30th, 2022
Matt

Everything I want in Grenache, everything I wish Pinot had. Garnet, limpid, crushed strawberry, grilled blood orange, white pepper, crushed herbs, wet leaves, stones, potpourri, dried rose petal, juniper, dried strawberry, oolong tea, fern forest, candy cap mushrooms, dry aged beef, and cinnamon. Lithe, graceful, driven by a focused acidity and strong mineral core. The stones and herbs are profound yet subdued by the purity of the red berry fruit. Incredibly detailed and an absolute match from nose to palate, clear and pure. Tannins are brisk and textural. Enjoyed over several hours for 35th bday.

Everything I want in Grenache, everything I wish Pinot had. Garnet, limpid, crushed strawberry, grilled blood orange, white pepper, crushed herbs, wet leaves, stones, potpourri, dried rose petal, juniper, dried strawberry, oolong tea, fern forest, candy cap mushrooms, dry aged beef, and cinnamon. Lithe, graceful, driven by a focused acidity and strong mineral core. The stones and herbs are profound yet subdued by the purity of the red berry fruit. Incredibly detailed and an absolute match from nose to palate, clear and pure. Tannins are brisk and textural. Enjoyed over several hours for 35th bday.

Dec 17th, 2021
Gilbert Van Hassel

Needs few comments. Seems like a lot of alcohol but not distracting, wild black berries , quite a masculine rayas. Years left in it. My favorite CDP together with bonneau’s reserve des celestins (the polar opposite)

Needs few comments. Seems like a lot of alcohol but not distracting, wild black berries , quite a masculine rayas. Years left in it. My favorite CDP together with bonneau’s reserve des celestins (the polar opposite)

Oct 16th, 2021
Gilbert Van Hassel

It is a great rayas almost at par with 2007 and 2010. Fully mature with this typical feminine Grenache taste. Wow happy to drink it once more.

It is a great rayas almost at par with 2007 and 2010. Fully mature with this typical feminine Grenache taste. Wow happy to drink it once more.

Oct 14th, 2021
David Langstaff

There is no point drinking any other CDP. And the ‘06 is a follower to the ‘05, ‘07, ‘08 and ,09. But what a magnificent wine. Fruit has calmed down and integrates with earth. And the Rayas pepper is there. Cannot mistake this wine for anything else. Simply stunning.

There is no point drinking any other CDP. And the ‘06 is a follower to the ‘05, ‘07, ‘08 and ,09. But what a magnificent wine. Fruit has calmed down and integrates with earth. And the Rayas pepper is there. Cannot mistake this wine for anything else. Simply stunning.

Sep 4th, 2021