Chateau Rayas Fonsalette Cotes du Rhone Reserve 2005
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Robert
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Château de Fonsalette, from Château Rayas, the great Châteauneuf producer, shows just what can be accomplished with very low yields and meticulous winemaking. This "basic" cuvée is always extraordinary and can age 20+ years. Château de Fonsalette is a separate estate from Rayas, not a second label. The Fonsalette vineyards are located about 18 miles north of Rayas towards Orange, Carianne and Rasteau. These wines are made at Château Rayas, however, in the same manner as Rayas and Pignan.
Grenache 50%, Cinsault 35%, Syrah 15%
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2005 Fonsalette Cotes du Rhone is a blockbuster. This blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, and 15% Syrah has a dark ruby/purple color and a beautifully structured style with notes of black truffle, licorice, black currant, and sweet cherry intermixed with some crushed rock and flowers. The wine is beautifully broad, savory, and exceptionally well-delineated and focused. This is a magnificent wine that should be at its best between 2010 and 2025.
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Wine Spectator
Rich, with a really enticing streak of mesquite and incense weaving through the dark currant, tapenade, braised beef and melted licorice notes. This long, minerally finish shows a hint of shiso leaf. Should cellar well. Drink now through 2011
Other Vintages
1996-
Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Typically thought of as a baby Chateâuneuf-du-Pape, the term Côtes du Rhône actually doesn’t merely apply to the flatter outskirts of the major southern Rhône appellations, it also includes the fringes of well-respected northern Rhône appellations. White wines can be produced under the appellation name, but very little is actually made.
The region offers some of the best values in France and even some first-rate and age-worthy reds. Red wine varieties include most of the Chateâuneuf-du-Pape varieties like Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Counoise, as well as Carignan. White grapes grown include Grenache blanc, Roussanne and Viognier, among others.