Chateau des Tours Reserve 2011, Cotes du Rhone

One of the big names of the southern Rhône is Château Rayas in Châteaneuf-du-Pape. But Château Rayas is managed by Emmanuel Reynaud who lives and makes the wine at Château des Tours at Sarrians, a village between Châteaneuf-du-Pape and Vacqueyras, entitled to get you a truly memorable, warming and delicious glass or three of outstanding Côtes du Rhône red wine, hence the apparently lowly Côtes du Rhône appellation. 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 15% Cinsault. It’s everything a Rhône red should be – deep, seductive berry fruit with a generous helping of spice. It manages to be both full and rich, and supple and silky. Alongside all the hearty generosity of classic Rhône wines, there is a more subtle seductive charming texture to the wine. As a notable wine taster says in his official tasting note, “it is as close as Grenache can get to Pinot Noir in some ways” – we know what he means.