Chateau Des Tours Côtes-du-Rhône Réserve 2015

Château des Tours Côtes-du-Rhône Réserve 2015
Emmanuel Reynaud’s 2015 Réserve captures the singular magic of the Sarrians plateau, translating an unflinching Grenache core into silken layers of plum skin, garrigue and warm clay. Low yielding old vines weathered the solar vintage with poised acidity, whole berries fermenting gently in concrete before an unhurried élévage in neutral foudres. Bottled unfiltered and released only when Reynaud deems it ready, this cuvée already hints at the exotic incense that collectors revere. 

Producer: Château des Tours
Vintage: 2015
Designation: Côtes-du-Rhône Réserve
Parcels / Lieu-dit: Estate vines on the Sarrians plateau near Vacqueyras
Variety: 80 % Grenache, 10 % Syrah, 10 % Cinsault
Average Vine Age: 45 years (estimated)
Soils & Exposure: Sandy clay limestone with scattered galets; south facing at 150-180 m
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts in concrete vats, 25-30 day maceration, gentle remontage, full malolactic
Élevage: 18 months in large neutral foudres; minimal SO₂; bottled unfiltered
Alcohol: 15.0 % vol.
Total Production: 18 000 bottles (estimated)

The Domaine
Nestled in Sarrians beneath the Dentelles de Montmirail, Château des Tours belongs to the Reynaud family of Château Rayas fame. Emmanuel Reynaud farms the 40-hectare estate organically, favouring deep ploughing and strict leaf thinning to temper yields. In the cellar he shuns new oak and technology, trusting long élévage and low sulfur to reveal haunting purity. The resulting wines marry Rhône generosity with an almost Burgundian finesse, making every release a prized allocation for aficionados.