2009 | Château Rayas | Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Deep red with a bright rim. A kaleidoscopic bouquet evokes red and dark berry preserves, blood orange and lavender, with deeper cherry pit and licorice qualities adding power. Sweet, expansive and pure, offering intense raspberry, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors supported by a firm spine of acidity. Shows excellent clarity and power on the finish, which is given shape by fine-grained, sweet tannins.

Reviews:

• Wine Advocate: The 2009 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape is an awesome example of elegance combined with extraordinary power. The alcohol levels must be between 15.5% and 16%, but the elegance and sublime nature of this wine make it irresistible. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by an extraordinary bouquet of framboise, black cherry liqueur intermixed with blacker fruits, licorice and a hint of flowers. Pure with terrific layers of fruit concentration (although it's remarkably light on its feet), silky tannins, well-integrated acidity and a stunning personality, this monumental Rayas is breathtaking. This beauty will undoubtedly be drinkable early on (although Emmanuel Reynaud considers that to be infanticide), and it is capable of lasting 25-30 years.

• Jeb Dunnuck: The 2009 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve from Rayas is a beauty that shows the hallmark elegance and complexity of this estate paired with plenty of opulence and sweet fruit. Incredible Provençal notes of kirsch liqueur, herbes de Provence, framboise, and flowery incense all emerge from the glass, and it’s full-bodied, has sweet tannins, and an almost over-the-top personality that’s a joy to drink. It’s impossible to resist today yet will evolve for 25-30 years or more. This comes closest in my mind to the 2007 with its opulent, sexy style.

Producer Information

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 equaly 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.

DISCLAIMER** This is a single item listing unless otherwise noted in the description. Retailer advises either in stock or in route to their location. Usually ships within one to four business days. Longer processing times may occur especially around holiday(s). Some items may become backordered or delayed without notice due to demand & will ship out upon arrival. Overseas 700ml products typically have longer processing/transit times. You can always verify product availability by calling 1-888-548-0333. Please refer to our cancellations & returns agreement or reach out to our support team at help@caskcartel.com for any additional questions.

Our dedicated team specializes in creating personalized shopping experiences. If you’re looking for a specific item or collection that isn’t appearing on our marketplace, please reach out to us at concierge@caskcartel.com or fill out the product inquiry form and one of our dedicated team members will be in touch.  Whether it’s a product you’ve experienced while traveling or a rare, hard to find item you’ve been searching for, we have an established global network of retailers with the ability to locate and source the rarest and hardest to find products.