2011 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve [JS96][V94][JD91]

Producer: Chateau Rayas 
Region: Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France 
Varietal: Rhone Red Blend  
Year: 2011 

James Suckling, 96 Points 

"A style that is a complete outlier. Easy to spot for those who have tasted it. Like entering a Moroccan souk to the smell of incense, sweet dates, clove and tamarind. Sweet and supple, with pixelated tannins and a waft of gentle freshness. Not the best vintage? Drink now. Alkina Grenache Assembly tasting." 

Vinous, 94 Points 

"Bright ruby-red. An exotic bouquet presents black raspberry, incense, Asian spices and blood orange. On the palate, sweet red and dark berry flavors become more tangy and spicy with air. Shows an impressive blend of depth vivacity and finished with outstanding focus and thrust and gentle tannic grip. Evidently this wine didn't get the memo that 2011 couldn't product outstanding wines." 

Jeb Dunnuck, 91 Points 

"From a bottle purchased in the Rhône, the 2011 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve is a pretty, perfumed Rayas that shows the more moderately concentrated, open, and complex style of the vintage. Translucent ruby-hued, with a great nose of sweet kirsch liqueur, white pepper, dried flowers, and Provençal herbs, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a layered, silky, seductive mouthfeel, soft tannins, and outstanding length. Almost reminding me of the 2008, it's a much lighter style of Rayas that checks in well behind the truly great vintages here, but it still brings that “je ne sais quoi” Rayas character that's impossible to find outside of this hollowed terroir. Enjoy bottles any time over the coming decade or so." 

Alcohol: 15% 

Organic farming 

*Discounts do not apply to items like this one in the Fine & Rare category. Price and availability in store may vary.