Chateau Des Tours Vacqueras 2003

NOTES

Chateau des Tours is situated in the Vacqueyras area a few kilometers north of Sarrians. Emmanuel Reynaud owns here 40 ha from where he makes Vacqeyras, Cotes du Rhone and Vin du Table.

The history of the Reynaud family at Rayas started in 1880 when a notary from the Avignon area Albert Reynaud became deaf when he was 45 years of age. He had to change profession and bought Chateau Rayas. His son Louis inherited the property. For the older one Bernard he bought another property Chateau des Tours in Sarrians in 1935. In 1945 he also purchased Chateau Fonsalette located in Lagarde-Paréol. The wines from here were made at Rayas. After the death of Louis his youngest son Jacques inherited the two estates and was the owner of Rayas and Fonsalette from 1978 until he suddenly died in 1997.

As Jacques had no sons to take over his nephew Emmanuel owner of Chateau des Tours (after his father Bernard) became the 4. Reynaud at Rayas and Fonsalette. Emmanuel lives at Chateau des Tours. The wines of Rayas and Fonsalette are vinified in the cellars of Rayas.

TASTING NOTES

Dark black/ruby; Nose of very pure red currents, ripe raspberries, licorice, garrigue, with a remarkable spicy aroma on the tail. Not a hint of the hallmarks of many 03 Rhone reds (the iodine/scorched earth/VA thing is totally absent). Perfectly balanced on the palate -- long and rich, with a velvet mouthfeel and exceptionally ripe fruit; just enough tannin to balance the fruit, and modest acidity. My only concern is that the wine is showing a touch too much oak resin on the palate right now, but I think that as it continues to age, it will absorb this... Finishes with an intriguing spicy tanginess.