Château Rayas
Chateau de Fonsalette Réservé Côtes du Rhône Syrah
Côtes du Rhône, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days and consistent throughout. The 2008 Cuvèe Syrah pours a deep, hazy ruby/purple color with a near translucent core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of ripe black and red fruits: mixed brambles, garrigue, lavender, black pepper, salmiakki, olive brine, spiced and cured meat, and dry stony earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish lasts for ten minutes (no cap); savory and spicy. This is my second time getting to enjoy this truly special wine and both experiences were consistent. Drink now with a 30min decant and enjoy through 2033.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days and consistent throughout. The 2008 Cuvèe Syrah pours a deep, hazy ruby/purple color with a near translucent core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of ripe black and red fruits: mixed brambles, garrigue, lavender, black pepper, salmiakki, olive brine, spiced and cured meat, and dry stony earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish lasts for ten minutes (no cap); savory and spicy. This is my second time getting to enjoy this truly special wine and both experiences were consistent. Drink now with a 30min decant and enjoy through 2033.
Feb 2nd, 2025A complete smoke show and unanimously the star of the flight. It’s no wonder the demand for these wines have skyrocketed. They are singular expressions with unmatched purity and character. The visual, nose and palate effortlessly command attention. Aromas and flavors unique from anything else in the Southern Rhône. The experience is a bit like going to a Billie Eilish concert with only basic knowledge of her music or persona, only to leave in awe because you just witnessed a once in a generation talent doing something undeniably special. Like Billie, a wine of character, authenticity and showmanship.
A complete smoke show and unanimously the star of the flight. It’s no wonder the demand for these wines have skyrocketed. They are singular expressions with unmatched purity and character. The visual, nose and palate effortlessly command attention. Aromas and flavors unique from anything else in the Southern Rhône. The experience is a bit like going to a Billie Eilish concert with only basic knowledge of her music or persona, only to leave in awe because you just witnessed a once in a generation talent doing something undeniably special. Like Billie, a wine of character, authenticity and showmanship.
Sep 17th, 2022
Silky, rich, complex… just a terrific bottle. Certainly accessible now but will hold for a while.
Silky, rich, complex… just a terrific bottle. Certainly accessible now but will hold for a while.
May 26th, 2025
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
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
Magnifique bouteille d’une jeunesse insolente
Respect Mr Reynaud !
Magnifique bouteille d’une jeunesse insolente
Respect Mr Reynaud !
Dark color still, meaty, bacon, dark fruits, so complex for a mere Cotes du Rhône, very long finish, this is just outstanding!!
Dark color still, meaty, bacon, dark fruits, so complex for a mere Cotes du Rhône, very long finish, this is just outstanding!!
Jan 6th, 2022Meaty, smoky, dark-fruited Syrah, flavors show the meaty dark fruits, also some still solid structure, so youthful, this will outlast me, long, peppery, spicy, finish, another great Fonsalette “Cuvee Syrah”!! Wish I’d bought more!!
Meaty, smoky, dark-fruited Syrah, flavors show the meaty dark fruits, also some still solid structure, so youthful, this will outlast me, long, peppery, spicy, finish, another great Fonsalette “Cuvee Syrah”!! Wish I’d bought more!!
Dec 20th, 2020
