2014 Chateau des Tours Grande Reserve Cotes du Rhone

Chateau des Tours is located just outside Chateauneuf-du-Pape in Sarrians, and is the family estate of current Chateau Rayas winemaker Emmanuel Reynaud. Much like the practices used at Rayas, the vineyards are organic and manually ploughed, and harvest is normally late in the season relative to other producers. Much of the focus is on old vine Grenache, with the Vacqueyras a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. For the Cotes du Rhone the blend is 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 15% Cinsault, while they also produce a Vin de Pays du Vaucluse under the Domaine des Tours label which is mostly Grenache with Cinsault, Counoise, Dious, Merlot, and Syrah.

Grande Reserve Cotes du Rhone is a declassified Vacqueyras.

Other Reviews....
The 2014 Côtes du Rhône Grande Réserve is magnificent. It seamlessly knits together elements of strawberry compote, crushed rose petal, tangerine peel, forest floor and hints of raspberry jam. Elegant to the core, this medium-bodied and de-classified Vacqueyras outperforms most of the same-vintage Vacqueyras wines. Its delicate flavors linger gracefully, framing this seductive red with great finesse. Drink 2017-2030.
91 points
Nicolas Greinacher - Vinous