2008 Chateau Rayas, Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Blanc 750ml

Château Rayas is one of the great French wine names of the modern era. Established by Albert Reynaud in 1880, Château Rayas rose to legendary status under the stewardship of the elusive yet engaging figure of Jacques Reynaud, who took over the management of the estate in 1978. His son, Emmanuel, has been in charge since 1997 and the Rayas star continues to rise. Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc is a 50/50 blend of Grenache Blanc and Clairette matured in old oak foudres. "Pale. Very rich – richer than the Fonsalette – yet with great verve. Heady, almost fat yet redeemed with really quite complex aromas I associate with white blossom. How does he coax this freshness out of those ancient casks?" Jancis Robinson, 2009