Fonsalette, Chateau de
Summary
Château de Fonsalette is a 12-hectare Côtes du Rhône estate near Lagarde-Paréol, owned by Emmanuel Reynaud of the Château Rayas family, producing distinctive Syrah-dominant reds, Clairette whites, and Cinsault rosés from sandy soils with limestone subsoils. The estate's unconventional emphasis on Syrah in the Southern Rhône, combined with traditional concrete fermentation, aging in old foudres, and the patient Reynaud approach to extended maturation, has established Fonsalette as a sought-after cult property that transcends its regional classification.
Heritage & Leadership
Château de Fonsalette, situated in the Côtes du Rhône appellation near the village of Lagarde-Paréol, became part of the Reynaud family holdings in the 1970s when Jacques Reynaud, then owner of the famed Château Rayas in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, acquired the property. The estate represents an extension of the Reynaud winemaking tradition beyond the boundaries of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and into the broader Côtes du Rhône designation. Following Jacques Reynaud's death in 1997, leadership transitioned to his nephew, Emmanuel Reynaud, who continues to oversee both Château Rayas and Château de Fonsalette. Under Emmanuel's direction, the estate maintains the distinctive winemaking approach established by his uncle, producing wines that reflect the particular terroir of this northern Côtes du Rhône site.
Vineyards & Wines
The vineyards of Château de Fonsalette encompass approximately 12 hectares in the northern sector of the Côtes du Rhône appellation. Unlike many producers in the Southern Rhône who focus primarily on Grenache, Fonsalette's red wine is predominantly Syrah, a grape more commonly associated with the Northern Rhône. This distinctive choice reflects the Reynaud family's independent approach to winemaking. The estate produces three main wines: a red Côtes du Rhône based primarily on Syrah, a white made from Clairette, and a rosé produced from Cinsault. The vineyards are planted on sandy soils with limestone subsoils, providing good drainage and contributing to the wines' mineral character. The relatively northern location within the Côtes du Rhône appellation results in a slightly cooler microclimate compared to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, influencing the ripening patterns and flavor development in the grapes.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking philosophy at Château de Fonsalette follows traditional methods that prioritize expressing the vineyard's character with minimal intervention. Fermentation occurs in concrete tanks, and the wines mature in old oak foudres, allowing for slow, gentle oxidation without imparting overt oak flavors. Emmanuel Reynaud continues the family tradition of extended aging before release, giving the wines time to develop complexity. Production remains limited, with careful attention to detail throughout the process from vineyard management to bottling. The estate's approach emphasizes patience and precision, with harvest timing determined by achieving optimal ripeness rather than adhering to a predetermined schedule. This methodical, unhurried approach to viticulture and vinification results in wines that require time to reveal their full character, continuing the distinctive winemaking legacy established by the Reynaud family in the Rhône Valley.