Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

In the glass

Aroma: chamomile, golden apple, almond, beeswax, honeysuckle

Palate: pear tart, marzipan, gentle spice, mineral, long floral finish

100% Grenache Blanc from sandy old vines; an unusual and complex white Chateauneuf with delicate florals, almond pastry texture, and remarkable longevity.

What it pairs with

• Langoustine with almond butter
  The almond and floral notes echo the dish's richness.
• Aged Gruyere with honey
  Nutty, waxy Grenache Blanc finds a partner in aged mountain cheese.
• Roasted chicken with tarragon
  Medium body and subtle herb character complement white poultry.

How to serve Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.

1. Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
2. Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
3. Glassware. Use a medium-sized white-wine glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
4. Pair with. Langoustine with almond butter, Aged Gruyere with honey, Roasted chicken with tarragon. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Made from 100% Grenache Blanc in the same low-intervention style as the red. Rayas blanc is extraordinarily rare with tiny production and commands prices approaching the red.

1. 1950: White cuvee first bottled under the Chateau Rayas label
2. 1997: Emmanuel Reynaud continues production after Jacques Reynaud's death

Facts

Producer

Chateau Rayas · visiting guide

Grapes

Grenache Blanc (100%)

Classification

Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC

Oak

Old foudres; no new oak

ABV

13.5%

Price

EUR 200-500 at retail

Drinking window

3-20 from vintage

First vintage

1950

Frequently asked about Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

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