Rhône Theme
Timed Online Auction, 2 - 12 February 2024
Rhône | International & South African offering
About the SessionThe first sale of the 2024 Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auction calendar is an exciting Rhône valley and Rhône-style offering and has fast-become one of the most popular at Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auctions.
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About this Item
Domaine des Tours is a French wine producer located in the southern Rhône Valley appellation of Vacqueyras. The estate is owned by Emmanuel Reynaud who also owns the famed Château Rayas in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Domaine des Tours is perhaps best known in relation to these top estates and produces similarly crafted red and white wines from Vacqueyras, Côtes-du-Rhône, and Vaucluse. The domaine's best fruit is used for Château des Tours Vacqueyras, a blend of around 95 percent Grenache with 5 percent Syrah.
Provenance
Wine Cellar Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘Very pale garnet, and quite cloudy too. Fantastic nose of mahogany and mushroom, with mushy raspberry fruit. It's one of those wines which is so instantly classic, so obviously 'fine wine' in that intangible way. On the palate, there's savoury aniseed and violet aroma, plenty of peppery spice, and a long finish with the sort of dried fruit I sometime associate with Amarone or port. Absolutely dry and appetising on the finish. What's wrong with it? Well, the alcohol is a little high, and it doesn't have the swirling depths of its sibling Rayas, but it's still outstanding.’ – Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Aug 2020)
‘Transparent cherry red colour, with strawberry jam and sage notes, a touch of rose and violet with air. It’s full-bodied, with plenty of fat, but with some natural acidity helping to bring balance. The alcohol is gently warming on the finish, which features pleasing orange skin bitter notes. Overall this is a very good vintage of Château des Tours, highly typical in its complex and beguiling aromatic display. Grown at Emmanuel Reynaud’s Sarrians estate, owner of Château Rayas. Whole-bunch fermented, very gentle extraction, aged in old oak barrels.’ – Matt Walls, Decanter.com, 94/100 (Apr 2023)