Château Rayas
Reserve Château de Fonsalette Côtes du Rhône Red Rhone Blend
Côtes du Rhône, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
It’s impossible to find this retail, so we got this from Zachys, which had obtained it via auction. Paid a pretty penny, but it’s the wine my wife and I had on our first date in 1987 (we had the ‘83 then, which I think set me back $25, which was a lot back then). So it’s a sentimental favorite. Unfortunately, though the cork and the fill were perfect, this wine has seen better days. Color is seriously browning. Autumnal, port-like nose with some stewed prune-infused fruit remaining. Some nice library furniture notes. On the palate, the texture is sumptuous, with all tannins resolved. Tastes a bit more youthful than the nose suggests. Air is helping (we decanted about an hour ago into a broad decanter). I’ll update if this gets better. For now, it’s an 8.8. ,
It’s impossible to find this retail, so we got this from Zachys, which had obtained it via auction. Paid a pretty penny, but it’s the wine my wife and I had on our first date in 1987 (we had the ‘83 then, which I think set me back $25, which was a lot back then). So it’s a sentimental favorite. Unfortunately, though the cork and the fill were perfect, this wine has seen better days. Color is seriously browning. Autumnal, port-like nose with some stewed prune-infused fruit remaining. Some nice library furniture notes. On the palate, the texture is sumptuous, with all tannins resolved. Tastes a bit more youthful than the nose suggests. Air is helping (we decanted about an hour ago into a broad decanter). I’ll update if this gets better. For now, it’s an 8.8. ,
Mar 17th, 2024
2006 vintage. Opened and put aside for a half hour, then decanted and tasted after an hour. Excellent fill and cork with minimal sed. Rusty, brickish color. Earthy, spicy nose. Light bodied. Phenomenal amounts of undying back palate push and spice “componentry” to vault this into Holy Bleep territory. Another decade at this level. Such a pleasure. 04.18.25.
2006 vintage. Opened and put aside for a half hour, then decanted and tasted after an hour. Excellent fill and cork with minimal sed. Rusty, brickish color. Earthy, spicy nose. Light bodied. Phenomenal amounts of undying back palate push and spice “componentry” to vault this into Holy Bleep territory. Another decade at this level. Such a pleasure. 04.18.25.
Apr 18th, 2025
Medium dark rubi robe. Nose of spices, licorice, blackcurrant and dark cherries. Does not show all the octane in the mouth, rather fresh and balanced. We liked it a lot. Many years we had not seen a bottle anywhere.
Medium dark rubi robe. Nose of spices, licorice, blackcurrant and dark cherries. Does not show all the octane in the mouth, rather fresh and balanced. We liked it a lot. Many years we had not seen a bottle anywhere.
Oct 6th, 2024
Heaven in a glass. Just a bit in your mouth and it bursts with flavors of dried fruit and spice!
Heaven in a glass. Just a bit in your mouth and it bursts with flavors of dried fruit and spice!
Aug 25th, 2024
Reynard dinner by daniel johannes withe morrell wines - pressoir - la paulee @ benno in nyc
Reynard dinner by daniel johannes withe morrell wines - pressoir - la paulee @ benno in nyc
Mar 4th, 2020Reynard dinner by daniel johannes withe morrell wines - pressoir - la paulee
Reynard dinner by daniel johannes withe morrell wines - pressoir - la paulee
Mar 4th, 2020
Just beautiful mature Grenache, both aromatically and on the palate, balanced, definitely a ripe vintage, but not hot or showing pruned notes, another wonderful Fonsalette!!
Just beautiful mature Grenache, both aromatically and on the palate, balanced, definitely a ripe vintage, but not hot or showing pruned notes, another wonderful Fonsalette!!
Oct 20th, 2018