Viniou Reviews
Château Rayas’ Cuvée Pignan 2009 is an exquisite red from the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC in the southern Rhône Valley. Crafted mainly from Grenache, sourced from old, north-facing vines, the wine stands out for its finesse and purity. 2009 was a notably warm and generous vintage, yielding ripe fruit yet preserving remarkable freshness. At Rayas, the traditional approach is paramount: manual harvesting, natural yeasts, gentle extraction and maturation in old wooden casks. The sandy terroir at Rayas, rare in the appellation, imparts an ethereal, silky texture and beautiful aromatic expression unusual for the normally powerful Châteauneuf-du-Pape reds.
The southern Rhône enjoys a Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine, allowing Grenache to reach optimal ripeness. However, the north-facing exposure at Château Rayas tempers the intensity, promoting elegance over sheer power. The soils here are famously sandy, different from the rolled galets typical of the region, giving the wines their trademark finesse and perfume. The historical significance of Châteauneuf-du-Pape traces to the 14th century, when papal influence helped establish the area’s renown, and today it remains one of France’s most celebrated appellations, especially for its expressive reds.
Cuvée Pignan 2009 is a wine of delicacy and nuance, making it a superb match for refined dishes where the aromatics and subtle palate can shine. Consider pairing with roast rack of lamb, herbed grilled duck breast or slow-cooked veal with Provençal vegetables. Classic southern French fare such as ratatouille or daube de boeuf complements its layered, savoury notes. Milder cheeses like Brebis des Pyrénées or aged Comté bring out the red fruit and gentle spice.
For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine at 16-18°C. Decanting for about an hour will allow it to open fully, revealing its bouquet of red berries, garrigue herbs, and underlying spice. Enjoy this wine now for its freshness and silkiness, or cellar further for added complexity.
