Sign In

2003 Chateau Rayas Château de Fonsalette Cotes-du-Rhone Reserve

Lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

Removed from a professional wine storage facility; Purchased at retail

Light label condition issue

Removed from a professional wine storage facility; Purchased at retail

Lightly depressed cork; label condition issue

Removed from a professional wine storage facility; Purchased at retail

Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific
Have a 2003 Chateau Rayas Château de Fonsalette Cotes-du-Rhone Reserve to sell?
Get a Free Estimate

RATINGS

90Robert M. Parker Jr.

...exhibiting a dense ruby/purple color to the rim and a beautifully sweet nose of melted licorice, blackberries, and raspberries with some pepper and scents of roasted meat. The wine has huge tannins, is massive and full-bodied...

PRODUCER

Chateau Rayas (Second Label)

Chateau Rayas is one of the most famous estates in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, in France’s southern Rhone Valley. Founded in the late 19th century by Albert Reynaud, a lawyer and notary from Avignon, the estate is today run Emmanuel Reynaud, the fourth generation of the family to take control of the 56-acre estate with its 37 acres of vineyards. About three-quarters of the estate’s wines are reds and are made mostly of Grenache. The whites are made of Grenache Blanc and Clairette. The Reynaud family also owns and operates Chateau de Fonsalette and Chateau des Tours, both producers of Rhone Valley wines. Robert M. Parker Jr. has called Chateau Rayas “one of the mythical names of France” because of its outstanding Chateauneuf-du-Papes.

REGION

France, Rhône Valley, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

The Southern Rhône Valley wine region extends from Orange in the north through the communes Lirac and Tavel in the southwest. The French call the region Côtes du Rhône Méridionales and it includes some of the best known appellations in France, such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas. The climate and landscape of the Southern Rhone differ significantly from the Northern Rhone. There are hot, often windy Mediterranean appellations near Nimes and the south, and higher altitude, relatively cool appellations such as Côtes du Ventoux to the east. Understanding the region can be confusing given that there are thirteen appellations and sixteen red and white grapes allowed for wines with appellation status. Syrah is grown here, but it is much less important than in the north. Grenache is the prominent red grape, though most red wines are blends of at least four varietals. Other commonly used red grapes are Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Muscardin. Counoise, Terret Noir, Vaccarèse and Syrah are also permitted. The primary white grapes are Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc, though Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne are permitted, as are Picpoul and Picardin. Of note is the Côtes du Rhone Villages AOC, which is only in the Southern Rhone. Though Côtes du Rhône AOC wine is made in both the north and south, the Villages appellation has stricter requirements for winemaking and is generally considered higher quality than simple Côtes du Rhône. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “There is a vast amount of enjoyment to be discovered in the southern Rhône…for these are some of the most sumptuous and pleasure-giving wines produced in the world.”

VINTAGE