Château Rayas, des Tours

Emmanuel Reynaud - Château Rayas & Château des Tours: A Jewel of the Rhône Valley

The name Emmanuel Reynaud is synonymous with excellence in the world of Rhône Valley wines. As the heir to a lineage of exceptional winemakers, Emmanuel Reynaud today heads several prestigious wine estates, including the famous Château Rayas in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Château Fonsalette, and Château des Tours located in Sarrians, within the Vacqueyras appellation. His wines are sought after by enthusiasts and collectors worldwide for their finesse, depth, and ability to evolve over time.

This article delves into Château des Tours, exploring its grape varieties, terroir, winemaking techniques, and the profile of the wines produced. We will also uncover what makes Emmanuel Reynaud's wines, particularly those from Château Rayas and Château des Tours, so unique.

History of Château des Tours

Family Origins

Château des Tours has been owned by the Reynaud family for several generations. Emmanuel Reynaud inherited this property, along with Château Rayas, from his great-uncle Jacques Reynaud, who made a significant impact on wine history with his unconventional and visionary approach. Located in Sarrians, in the heart of the Rhône Valley, the estate spans 40 hectares and primarily produces red wine under the Vacqueyras appellation.

Emmanuel Reynaud's Vision

Continuing the family tradition, Emmanuel Reynaud adopts an approach focused on respecting the terroir and artisanal winemaking. While preserving the style of wines that have made the estate famous, he doesn't hesitate to experiment with new techniques to enhance the quality of the grapes. This blend of heritage and innovation makes the wines of Château des Tours benchmarks in the region.

The Terroir of Château des Tours

Location and Geology

Situated in the Vacqueyras appellation, Château des Tours benefits from an exceptional terroir. The region's clay-limestone soils, combined with a Mediterranean climate, offer ideal conditions for vine cultivation. Sunny days and cool nights promote slow and even grape ripening, ensuring aromatic concentration and balanced freshness in the wines.

The Terroir's Impact on the Wines

The unique terroir of Château des Tours allows for the production of complex wines with rich and varied aromas. Grenache, the dominant grape variety in the region, finds a unique expression here, combining power and finesse. Syrah and Cinsault perfectly complement the blend, bringing structure and freshness.

Grape Varieties and Cuvées of Château des Tours

Cultivated Grape Varieties

At Château des Tours, Emmanuel Reynaud primarily cultivates three grape varieties:

• Grenache: Representing about 80% of the blend in the Vacqueyras red and 65% in the Côtes-du-Rhône red, this variety is known for producing generous, fruity, and spicy wines.
• Syrah: Adding structure and color to the wines, it makes up 20% of the blend in both the Vacqueyras and Côtes-du-Rhône reds.
• Cinsault: A lighter grape variety, it contributes to the balance and freshness of the wines, notably in the Côtes-du-Rhône red (15% of the blend).

The estate also produces a white Côtes-du-Rhône, 100% Grenache Blanc, offering a unique aromatic profile marked by floral notes and beautiful minerality.

Signature Cuvées

• Château des Tours Vacqueyras Rouge: This wine consists of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. It stands out for its ripe red fruit aromas and spicy notes. The palate is balanced, with silky tannins and great freshness.
• Château des Tours Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge: A blend of Grenache (65%), Cinsault (15%), and Syrah (20%), this wine is lighter than the Vacqueyras but maintains an intense aromatic profile marked by red fruits and a hint of licorice.
• Château des Tours Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc: This 100% Grenache Blanc is a wine of great finesse, with aromas of white flowers and white-fleshed fruits, and a lovely tension on the palate.

Winemaking Techniques at Château des Tours

An Artisanal Approach

At Château des Tours, winemaking respects traditional methods. Grapes are hand-harvested to ensure only the best fruit is selected, and minimal intervention in the cellar preserves the purity of the fruit and expression of the terroir. Emmanuel Reynaud favors long aging in old wooden vats, allowing the wines to develop slowly and acquire remarkable aromatic complexity.

Red Wine Vinification

Grapes destined for red wines are destemmed before fermentation, which takes place in concrete or stainless steel tanks. Maceration can last several weeks, depending on the cuvée, to extract maximum color, tannins, and aromas. The wines are then aged for 24 to 36 months in vats, providing them with elegant structure and great aging potential.

White Wine Vinification

Whites are vinified with the same care. Emmanuel Reynaud opts for slow fermentation at low temperatures to preserve the freshness and delicate aromas of Grenache Blanc. Aging on fine lees in wooden vats adds roundness and complexity to the wine without overshadowing the purity of the fruit.

The Style of Emmanuel Reynaud's Wines

Wines of Emotion

Emmanuel Reynaud's wines, whether from Château Rayas, Château des Tours, or Fonsalette, share a common signature: they are wines of emotion, marked by finesse and complexity. They are often described as elegant, ethereal, and capable of aging beautifully.

A Constant Quest for Balance

One of the distinguishing features of Emmanuel Reynaud's wines is their balance. Each cuvée manages to combine power and finesse, aromatic depth and freshness, in perfect harmony. This balance allows the wines to stand out both in tasting and aging, offering unique gustatory experiences at every stage of their evolution.

Château Rayas: Emmanuel Reynaud's Other Masterpiece

A Legendary Terroir in Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Château Rayas is arguably Emmanuel Reynaud's most famous estate. Located in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this 10-hectare vineyard is primarily planted with Grenache on sandy soils. Unlike most estates in the region, Rayas does not utilize the region's famous galets roulés (rounded stones), giving its wines a unique profile that is fresher and more delicate than many traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines.

A Mythical Wine

Château Rayas produces wines of rare elegance, often described as "Southern Burgundies" due to their silky texture and aromatic complexity. Grenache here expresses unparalleled finesse, with aromas of wild strawberry, cherry, and floral and spicy notes. These wines are designed to age for many years, developing fascinating layers of flavor over time.

Why Are Emmanuel Reynaud's Wines So Sought After?

Limited Production

One factor that makes Emmanuel Reynaud's wines so sought after is their limited production. Whether it's Château Rayas, Château des Tours, or Fonsalette, the quantities produced each year are small, creating rarity in the market. This scarcity, combined with the exceptional quality of the wines, partly explains their often high prices and presence on the world's finest tables.

A Unique Expertise

Beyond rarity, it is Emmanuel Reynaud's expertise that builds the reputation of his wines. His ability to capture the essence of the terroir in each bottle while maintaining consistent quality year after year is impressive. He works with artisanal precision, always prioritizing quality over quantity.

The Art of Tasting and Aging Wines from Château des Tours and Château Rayas

Tasting Young Wines

Wines from Château des Tours and Château Rayas can be enjoyed in their youth for their vibrant fruitiness and freshness. However, they gain complexity after a few years of aging. Decanting is recommended before tasting to allow them to fully open up.

Aging Potential

Thanks to their balanced structure and meticulous aging, these wines are designed to evolve over many years. A Vacqueyras from Château des Tours can improve over 10 to 15 years, while a Château Rayas can reach its peak after 20 to 30 years of cellaring.

Conclusion

Emmanuel Reynaud's wines, whether from Château des Tours or Château Rayas, embody a unique vision of viticulture. With their elegance, depth, and ability to evolve over time, they rank among the greatest wines of the Rhône Valley. Whether you're an enthusiast or a collector, these wines promise unforgettable tasting moments marked by finesse and complexity.

FAQ

What is special about the wines of Château des Tours? The wines of Château des Tours stand out for their balance between power and finesse, with fruity and spicy aromas and silky tannins. The estate benefits from a unique terroir that adds complexity and freshness to the wines.

What is the composition of Château des Tours Vacqueyras Rouge? The Vacqueyras Rouge is composed of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. It offers aromas of red fruits and spices with great freshness on the palate.

What wines are produced at Château des Tours? Château des Tours produces a Vacqueyras Rouge, a Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge (65% Grenache, 15% Cinsault, 20% Syrah), and a Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc (100% Grenache Blanc).

How should wines from Château Rayas be aged? Wines from Château Rayas can age for several decades. They develop beautifully after 10 to 20 years, offering complex aromas of red fruits, spices, and floral notes.

Why are Emmanuel Reynaud's wines so rare? Reynaud's wine production is limited in quantity, making his wines rare and highly sought after. This rarity, combined with exceptional quality, makes them prized in the market.

How should wines from Château des Tours be tasted? Wines from Château des Tours can be enjoyed young for their freshness but gain complexity after a few years of aging. Decanting is often recommended to fully reveal their aromas.