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1994 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve #116754437

750ml

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92.9
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Based on 63 reviews on Cellartracker.com

Reviews 90 points Wine Advocate "A sleeper of the vintage, the 1994 offers up a fragrant perfume of kirsch, raspberries, leather, and tobacco in a medium to full-bodied, surprisingly authoritative style with outstanding depth, ripeness, and length. (RP)" 91 points John Gilman "The nose jumps from the glass with scents of crushed raspberries, woodsmoke, coffee, pepper, grilled venison, herbs, and cloves. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, deep and resolving, with secondary layers of nuance emerging, a juicy core of fruit, and a long, complex and impressive finish. (JG)"

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Also From Chateau Rayas

Emmanuel Reynaud in the vineyards of Chateau Rayas

About Chateau Rayas

A renowned name in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Château Rayas breaks away from the norm with its exclusive sandy soil, as opposed to the galets roulés characteristic of the appellation. At the helm is Emmanuel Reynaud, grandson of the estate's founder, who meticulously manages the distinguished single vineyards — Le Couchant, Le Levant, and Le Coeur. Advocating organic practices, he predominantly cultivates Grenache, a homage to his conviction in the grape's potential despite the appellation permitting up to 13 different varietals.

The vineyards, nestled amidst pine trees, enjoy a distinctive microclimate. They are sheltered from the bracing mistral winds, resulting in a slower ripening process. Once harvested, Reynaud employs an extended fermentation process with the grapes still on their stems. The wines are then racked once into enamel cuves, aged in neutral oak casks and foudres, and ultimately bottled two years post-harvest, unfiltered and unfined, thus preserving their aromatic complexity.

Reynaud also operates Château des Tours, a family estate in Sarrians under a Côte du Rhône appellation, along with its secondary label, Domaine des Tours, a Vin de Pays de Vaucluse. These offer more accessible organic Grenache and Syrah bottlings.

Each varietal in Rayas' 13-hectare vineyard, uniquely north-facing and sans the quintessential round pebbles, undergoes separate fermentation in oak casks. Assemblage then occurs in enamel-lined tanks pre-bottling. This methodological winemaking, the estate's unusual terroir, and its secluded location near Courthézon contribute to the unique, savory, and complex signature of all Rayas wines, making them some of the most coveted in the appellation.

Château Rayas owns 23 hectares of land, 12 of which are vineyards. Apart from the exclusive sandy soils, their unique microclimate, brought about by surrounding pine and oak trees, and their northern exposure make Rayas the coolest terroir in Châteauneuf du Pape. This allows for the harvest of optimally ripe grapes while maintaining low alcohol levels, intense purity of fruit, and an elegant, silky style that truly sets Rayas apart.

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