2001 Château Rayas Château de Fonsalette Côtes du Rhône Rouge Reserve
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Tasting notes
This was the red wine we chose from the wine list in Fontjoncouse to follow the Leroy 2000 Bourgogne Blanc which, if anything, was even less evolved than this rich red, the most famous wine of its appellation. The 2001 vintage was of course very successful in the southern Rhône and this was luscious and spicy but the tannins were completely resolved and the fruity impact was in retreat. Nothing heavy or grating. At €187, it was certainly not given away but the wine is quite a rarity and was a great treat. (JR)
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
More subtly shaded crimson than most. More than a hint of old wood on the nose. But lovely herbs too with great roundness of texture and a much more interesting, ground-driven wine than most of these. There’s notable acidity but real gaminess and a certain smoothness of texture. Not especially sweet or dry. Finishes dry – certainly not alcoholic. Still a little bit spindly – I guess it will be better yet in a few years – yet it is clearly the product of great fruit made in a pretty old fashioned way. Maybe a bit bretty? (JR)
Leather, earth, and animal fur characteristics emerge from the dark ruby-colored 2001 Fonsalette Cotes du Rhone. This spicy, medium-bodied 2001 exhibits notes of roasted herbs intermixed with beef blood. Firm tannin in the finish suggests 2-3 years of cellaring is warranted. It should keep for 12-15 years. Like most Chateauneuf du Pape domaines, I did not see anything while tasting through the 2002 reds that would suggest they could be recommended in this publication. Importers: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173 and Martine’s Wines, Novato, CA; tel. (415) 883-0400
Medium red. Highly perfumed, peppery aromas of cherry, raspberry, licorice and leather. Dense but bright and juicy, with pepper, leather and red fruit flavors; shows good thickness but also lovely verve and cut. Very lively and elegantly styled.
About the producer
Ch. Rayas is a cult name in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The wines – pure, silken expressions of Grenache with distinctive perfume – are revered for their singularity and fiercely collected. Made by Emmanuel Reynaud and renowned for their ageability, they have become some of the region's most sought-after.