Few names loom as large as Château Rayas in the Rhone.

The estate is one of the most storied, mythical and mysterious in the region.

The wines of Château Rayas are benchmarks for the elegance, power and nuance that Grenache is capable of. And while the estate’s Chateauneufs receive most of the spotlight, the wines transcend expectations at every price point.

Today we turn to their rarely seen, and more gently priced, Côtes du Rhône La Pialade. The La Pialade flaunts all of the deep complexity and brilliant perfume you’d expect from Rayas, but with surprising freshness and immediacy.

There’s also incredible value to be had here. The 2012 La Pialade is a striking example of the estate’s high caliber of winemaking, but comes at a fraction of the cost of their Chateauneufs.

The 2012 is a beautifully structured and vibrant edition of La Pialade. The wine shows amazing depth, substance and lift. There's a strong sense of harmony and completeness.

La Pialade comes from younger Grenache vines with small amounts of Syrah and Cinsault. In 2012, the wine offers explosive aromatics and layers of saturating red fruits, savory herbs, iron, smoke and spice. There's staggering intensity, finesse and breeding.

Château Rayas is Rhône royalty. Few producers in the region possess such a long track record of excellence. The 2012 La Pialade is a wine that delivers impressive value for its pedigree. As we mentioned before, it's also extremely hard to come by. Currently, there's just one other listing for it in the country. Don't miss.

To order, email offers@crushwineco.com

or call the store at (212) 980-9463.

Ian McFadden

Director, Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits