Château Rayas
Réservé Pignan Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
The 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réservé Pignan is a powerhouse, unfurling with intense black current pastilles, melted licorice, blueberry jam and pencil shavings. Dried orange peel and leafy elements add more layers. Flashy and forward, the full-bodied 2010 is a concentrated long-distance runner with an expansive finish. That said, it requires at least five more years to unearth its full potential. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
The 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réservé Pignan is a powerhouse, unfurling with intense black current pastilles, melted licorice, blueberry jam and pencil shavings. Dried orange peel and leafy elements add more layers. Flashy and forward, the full-bodied 2010 is a concentrated long-distance runner with an expansive finish. That said, it requires at least five more years to unearth its full potential. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
The color of the 2000 Pignan is a brilliant pale ruby color and slightly cloudy. Noticeably lighter in complexion than the others in the CdP flight. Yep…it has that scintillating, heady nose that is so unique to Rayas. Pine needles, wild strawberries, cardamom…woof. This bottle had some VA but I didn’t mind. Perhaps not the most exciting Rayas but I’m splitting hairs here. A very nice pairing with cassoulet, Toulouse sausage and duck confit. Drink now and through 2035. Merci Matt!
The color of the 2000 Pignan is a brilliant pale ruby color and slightly cloudy. Noticeably lighter in complexion than the others in the CdP flight. Yep…it has that scintillating, heady nose that is so unique to Rayas. Pine needles, wild strawberries, cardamom…woof. This bottle had some VA but I didn’t mind. Perhaps not the most exciting Rayas but I’m splitting hairs here. A very nice pairing with cassoulet, Toulouse sausage and duck confit. Drink now and through 2035. Merci Matt!
Mar 17th, 2024
The colour of Tawny Port - burnished and faded. A gorgeous red fruited perfume together with dried herbs - intoxicating rich concentrated aromas belies the fading colour. Rich stewed raspberries on the palate with earthy notes - a tarry note but dominated by the raspberry - overall delicious with M+ Intensity. Amazingly bloody good for a 2nd wine admittedly to the mighty Chateau Rayas. One of the best 100% Grenaches ever for me.
The colour of Tawny Port - burnished and faded. A gorgeous red fruited perfume together with dried herbs - intoxicating rich concentrated aromas belies the fading colour. Rich stewed raspberries on the palate with earthy notes - a tarry note but dominated by the raspberry - overall delicious with M+ Intensity. Amazingly bloody good for a 2nd wine admittedly to the mighty Chateau Rayas. One of the best 100% Grenaches ever for me.
Nov 13th, 2021
A requested pre-dinner decant served very well as explosive and distinctive Rayas aromatics assert themselves immediately. It’s very complex, hedonistic and layered with flavors you can’t stop listing as they come at you in waves and do somersaults in the glass. Signature kirsch cherry liquor, winter citrus, black raspberry, sage, lavender, incense and a fine mineral infusion on the back end.
There is superb intensity and a palate saturating texture while at the same time it has an airy weightlessness and sensual elegance. Finishes with great energy, length and persistence. This is a fantastic vintage for the Raynaud wines especially, with clearly many more great years ahead to evolve and gain even further complexity.
A requested pre-dinner decant served very well as explosive and distinctive Rayas aromatics assert themselves immediately. It’s very complex, hedonistic and layered with flavors you can’t stop listing as they come at you in waves and do somersaults in the glass. Signature kirsch cherry liquor, winter citrus, black raspberry, sage, lavender, incense and a fine mineral infusion on the back end.
There is superb intensity and a palate saturating texture while at the same time it has an airy weightlessness and sensual elegance. Finishes with great energy, length and persistence. This is a fantastic vintage for the Raynaud wines especially, with clearly many more great years ahead to evolve and gain even further complexity.
Intense dark blackcurrant and tarragon, cracked black pepper, dark cherry covered in dark chocolate on the nose.
Palate rich, opulant, generous and sharing. Just an incredible amount of flavors to keep track. Black tea, more and more tarragon, black raspberry. Just a hint of alcohol at the finish. Every flavor and texture has direction and intention.
Intense dark blackcurrant and tarragon, cracked black pepper, dark cherry covered in dark chocolate on the nose.
Palate rich, opulant, generous and sharing. Just an incredible amount of flavors to keep track. Black tea, more and more tarragon, black raspberry. Just a hint of alcohol at the finish. Every flavor and texture has direction and intention.
Fruit leather. Like, homemade fruit rollups.
Fruit leather. Like, homemade fruit rollups.
Jan 2nd, 2019Pignan is a lesser cuvée made by Chateau Rayas. Leather, red currant with soft tannins. Medium bodied and delicious from a good year. 100% Grenache from the northern or cooler section of CdP. An excellent match with a wonderful chicken dish.
Pignan is a lesser cuvée made by Chateau Rayas. Leather, red currant with soft tannins. Medium bodied and delicious from a good year. 100% Grenache from the northern or cooler section of CdP. An excellent match with a wonderful chicken dish.
Aug 11th, 2018Very sweet, delish!
Very sweet, delish!
Oct 31st, 2017
Just an amazing wine. For cdp, very light colored with a bit of bricking. Tobacco, dark fruit, earth, amazingly plush and elegant. Very distinctive and delicious.
Just an amazing wine. For cdp, very light colored with a bit of bricking. Tobacco, dark fruit, earth, amazingly plush and elegant. Very distinctive and delicious.
Sep 23rd, 2017