Châteauneuf-du-Pape is often associated with large rounded stones known as galets roulés. Château Rayas is almost the opposite.

Château Rayas 2011 comes from a small vineyard hidden among woodland, planted on very sandy, poor soils and devoted entirely to Grenache for the red wine.

The combination of sand, shade, north-facing parcels and low yields produces an unusually pale, aromatic and delicate interpretation of a region more often associated with power.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape without the famous stones

Château Rayas officially describes its vineyard as a small estate of about 10 hectares of vines, set apart in the middle of woodland.

The soil is extremely sandy and poor.

For readers new to the region, this is unusual. Many famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards are covered with galets roulés, large rounded stones that absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night.

Rayas instead relies on sand, surrounding trees and mostly north-facing exposures. These conditions keep the site cooler and extend the ripening period, helping explain why the wine can appear lighter in colour and finer in texture than many neighbouring Châteauneufs.

100% Grenache

The red Château Rayas is officially made from 100% Grenache.

Grenache is the dominant grape of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but the appellation permits a wide range of varieties. Many producers blend Grenache with Syrah, Mourvèdre and others.

Rayas does not.

The estate is known for extremely low yields and very late harvesting. Rather than reinforcing Grenache with more structured varieties, it relies on slow ripening in sand and careful vineyard work to give the grape enough balance to stand alone.

Whole clusters and old large oak

Rayas is also known for fermenting the bunches whole.

Whole-cluster fermentation means that the grapes enter fermentation with their stems rather than being completely destemmed. The stems can contribute aromatic complexity and a different kind of structure to the finished wine.

Extraction is gentle, and the wine is matured in large, old oak vessels rather than new barrels.

The aim is not to add a strong flavour of new oak, but to preserve the fragrance and fine texture produced by Grenache grown on sand.

What 2011 brings to the Rayas style

The 2011 Southern Rhône vintage is generally regarded as less structured than 2010 and more approachable at an earlier stage.

That does not erase the identity of Rayas. A 2023 tasting note for Château Rayas 2011 described the wine as sweet and supple, with very fine-grained tannins and a gentle sense of freshness.

That profile suits the estate’s unusual direction. Rayas is not built around maximum colour or weight; its signature lies in fragrance, delicacy and length.

The Reynaud family since 1880

The Reynaud family has grown wine in the southern Rhône since 1880.

Château Rayas passed through successive generations of the family before Emmanuel Reynaud took charge in 1997 following the death of his uncle Jacques Reynaud.

Today, Emmanuel oversees Château Rayas together with Château de Fonsalette and Château des Tours.

The 2011 vintage belongs to this period of the estate’s history.

Château Rayas 2011

France | Rhône | Châteauneuf-du-Pape | Red wine | 100% Grenache | 2011

Sandy soils, surrounding woodland, north-facing parcels, pure Grenache, whole-cluster fermentation and old large oak make Château Rayas one of the most unconventional expressions of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The softer structure of 2011 places particular emphasis on that distinctive combination of fragrance, suppleness and freshness.

Available at IMAMI

IMAMI is a specialist retailer offering wine, whisky, sake and other fine spirits, together with Japanese drinking vessels including Edo Kiriko glassware. We carefully select and sell each bottle and piece with attention to the craftsmanship, history and culture behind it.

For in-store product availability, please enquire at IMAMI Ginza or IMAMI Shinsaibashi, or contact us.

Product selection and availability vary by store.

New arrivals are announced on our official Instagram @imami__japan and in our NEWS archive.