Stunning Selection Of The Incomparable Chateau Rayas

We are delighted to offer a phenomenal selection of wines from one of the greatest estates on the planet Chateau Rayas. Spanning vintages from 1996 to 2013 and including the flagship Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Chateauneuf-du-Pape Pignan and Fonsalette, this is a unique cellar and amazing window into the quality of this extraordinary producer.

Rayas is one of the global wine market’s most in-demand producers. A unique combination of quality, authenticity and character allied to fragmented distribution has given this estate a level of cachet matched by very few other wines. It’s a situation that makes a cellar such as this a very serious proposition.

Do take a look and let us know if you would like to secure any of these cases:

1996 Chateau Rayas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape Pignan

£5,500 per case (12*75cl OC) in bond – 1 case available

90 points Stephen Tanzer

Francoise and Emmanuel Reynaud, sister and nephew of the late Jacques Reynaud, have a very rich set of ’97s in the making, wines with more material and tannic clout than most Southern Rhones of this vintage. Too many people harvested too early, says Emmanuel Reynaud, who waited until October 1 to begin. Yields here in ’97 were about 30% lower than crop levels in ’96. The domain flagship wine is always the first red to be bottled here (the second February after the harvest), while the Fonsallette syrah is last. (1999) www.vinous.com

1999 Chateau Rayas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape Pignan

£5,000 per case (12*75cl OC) in bond – 1 case available

90 points Stephen Tanzer

“We had surmaturite earlier in 2000,” said Emmanuel Reynaud, explaining the success of this vintage. “In 1999, the grenache was still green on September 15; it was as it would be in a normal year at the end of August. To get real surmaturite in ’99 we would have had to wait to pick until the end of October, which of course was not possible due to fall rains.” On the other hand, Reynaud added, “1999 is a great year for syrah.” (2002) www.vinous.com

2000 Chateau Rayas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape

£5,750 per case (6*75cl OC) in bond – 1 case available

93 points Robert Parker

The 2000 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape, which Emmanuel Reynaud believes is better than 1998, came in at a whopping 15.2% alcohol. It is reminiscent of a hypothetical blend of the 1998 and 1999, with a medium to light ruby color, and a sumptuous bouquet of kirsch liqueur, spice box, and licorice. Full-bodied and fleshy, with low acidity, it is a sweet (from high glycerin and alcohol), seductive, intoxicating offering with no hard edges and a rich, fleshy mouthfeel. While it will be hard to resist, I feel the 1998 still has more structure. Anticipated maturity for the 2000: 2005-2016. (2003) www.robertparker.com

2005 Chateau Rayas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape

£5,600 per case (6*75cl OC) in bond – 1 case available

96+ points Jeb Dunnuck

Showing the more structured, savory and austere side of the vintage, the 2005 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape will be 20-30 year wine. Offering up lots of darker fruits, gunpowder, ground pepper, truffles and licorice, it has full-bodied richness, a beautiful texture and no shortage of tannin or acid, both of which make themselves known on the finish. This is a wine to hide in the cellar for at least another 4-5 years, and it will still be going strong in 2030+. I don’t see this matching the 1995 or 2007, but it’s not far off. (2015) www.jebdunnuck.com Drink 2020-2035

2006 Chateau Rayas, Chateauneuf du Pape

£4,950 per case (6*75cl OC) in bond – 3 cases available

94 points Jeb Dunnuck

A good, but not great Rayas, with sexy, perfumed, and upfront kirsch, sweet spice, underbrush, and dried floral aromatics, the 2006 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve is medium to full bodied on the palate and beautifully balanced, showing sweet fruit, a soft, seamless texture and impressive focus and precision on the finish. Surprisingly accessible and open, it will be interesting to see how this evolves over the coming years. While more structured vintages can drink well for 2 to 3 decades, I would shoot for drinking these over the coming 10-15 or so years. (2011) www.jebdunnuck.com

2007 Chateau Rayas, Chateauneuf du Pape

£5,250 per case (6*75cl OC) in bond – 1 case available

98 points Jeb Dunnuck

This was a brilliant showing by the 2007 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve from Rayas, the finest bottle I’ve had to date. Offering a classic ruby color as well as gorgeous notes of kirsch liqueur, sappy green herbs, flowers, and rose petals, this beauty hits the palate with a full-bodied, rich, yet also fresh and vibrant texture that carries nicely integrated acidity and fine tannin. It’s certainly one of the gems in this great vintage and is going to have a long life. I’d be thrilled to drink bottles any time over the coming 15+ years. (2018) www.jebdunnuck.com Drink 2018-2033

2010 Chateau Rayas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape Pignan

£2,200 per case (6*75cl OC) in bond – 1 case available

96 points Jeb Dunnuck

The 2010 Châteauneuf Du Pape Pignan is a beauty, with a powerful, concentrated, full-bodied style as well as classic notes of darker cherries and assorted berry fruits supported with an almost Côte Rôtie-like floral, gamey, exotic character that develops with time in the glass. Wonderfully textured, deep, and layered on the palate, it’s unquestionably drinking brilliantly today yet will cruise for another decade or more in cold cellars. (2022) www.jebdunnuck.com Drink 2022-2033

2012 Chateau Rayas, Chateauneuf du Pape

£8,900 per case (12*75cl OC) in bond – 3 cases available

94-97 points Jeb Dunnuck

The 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape, which was also tasted from multiple barrels as well as a rough final blend, looks spectacular! Nicely concentrated and textured, with a lively, focused feel, it possesses piercing black cherry, kirsch, pine oil, white pepper and hints of gaminess to go with medium to full-bodied richness, fine tannin and bright acidity. While there’s good overall heft and depth here, finesse and elegance are the name of the game, and I suspect it will be relatively accessible in its youth. (2013) www.jebdunnuck.com

2012 Chateau Rayas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape Pignan

£1,900 per case (6*75cl OC) in bond – 1 case available

91-94 points Jeb Dunnuck

A blend of 100% Grenache from the neighboring Pignan lieu-dit, the 2012 Pignan Chateauneuf du Pape is loaded with sappy underbrush, resin, green peppercorn and sweet red fruits that give way to a medium-bodied, pure and elegantly styled palate. Hard to resist and a supple, sexy effort, it should have a decade or more of longevity. (2013) www.robertparker.com

2013 Chateau Rayas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape Pignan

£1,800 per case (6*75cl OC) in bond – 1 case available

91 points Josh Reynolds 

Offered subject to final confirmation. Lead times on request. Offer expires 13th September.