Chateau Des Tours Vacqueyras 2011

Chateau des Tours is the Sarrians-based estate of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s greatest winemaker Château Rayas. Along with Chateau de Fonsalette, situated just outside Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the Reynaud family are famous for crafting hauntingly aromatic, limpid-coloured grenache based wines of breathtaking quality at all three properties.

When Jacques Reynaud, whom many consider the godfather of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, passed away in 1997 the reigns were handed over to his nephew Emmanuel who was already managing Chateau des Tours in Sarrians. He is very much a farmer and Chateau des Tours his is family's residence where they farm produce and tend the very old plots of grenache, carignan and syrah.

As he oversees the winemaking at all three properties the mantra is the same at des Tours as Rayas; Organic farming, manual ploughing and hand harvesting of the vineyards and a softly-softly, intuitive approach in the cellar. Some consider Emmanuel's delicate hand and attention to detail may even be elevating further the quality of these beautiful, and very elusive wines.

The elegant 2011 vintage suits the Reyanud style very well. Quite forward and approachable now but we know how well these wines can age. A superb and pure Vacqueyras which is a benchmark for the appellation.