1997 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

1997 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Château Rayas is a leading producer in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation of the Rhône Valley. It is one of the region’s most prestigious estates, and its wines fetch some of the highest prices in southern France.

Much about Rayas is unusual. Firstly, the estate’s red wine is made solely from Grenache, unlike most Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines that typically contain Syrah, Mourvèdre and a range of other varieties.

Secondly, the estate’s 13 hectares (32 acres) of vineyard face north, and do not have any “galets roulés” – the rounded stones so closely associated with the appellation and often found littering vineyard sites in Châteauneuf. Thirdly, the estate’s wines are matured in larger-format, “double-piéce” 450-liter barrels.

Château Rayas’ flagship Châteauneuf-du-Pape label is known for its sweet, pure fruit and silky texture, and has a reputation as one of the best wines in the appellation for longer-term aging. The second label, Pignan, is also 100 percent Grenache, and tends to be gutsy and ripe and not quite so polished in style as the top cuvee.

The château’s white Châteauneuf-du-Pape is generally made from Grenache Blanc and Clairette in roughly equally proportions.

Château Rayas has been in the Reynaud family since the 1880s. Owner Emmanuel Reynaud also makes the (highly-priced) Château de Fonsalette and Pialade Côtes du Rhône wines at the Rayas winery.

Château des Tours in Vacqueyras is a separate estate and winery, under the same ownership.