This popped up in my feed a week or so ago
I’ve never had Rayas - only their lower level wines (Pignan, Pialade, des Tours etc.) and even those were a long time ago - but from having tasted a fair share of the suggestions they didn’t seem to make sense to me. I had assumed they might mention La Bastide St. Dominque, but maybe that is too obscure.
For those who are familiar with Rayas, does that list make any sense?
There are no substitutes…
There really are no substitutes. I’ve never had a WOW Southern Rhône like Rayas. The 89 and 90 are two of the best wines I’ve drunk.
I’d look for a CDP with a stylistic similarity. I don’t consider Vieux Telegraphe anywhere like it. I’d recommend Charvin. Very good producer.
Caveat: I’ve never had Rayas either, so I’m talking out of turn, but the “there are no substitutes” replies are not all that helpful. So I’ll offer up my ignorant opinion here.
From what I’ve read, Rayas is a light bodied/colored Grenache that emphasizes perfume, finesse, and complexity over big body, extract, and alcohol. Having had several of the suggested alternatives on this list, I can say that they don’t seem to make much sense. Wines I’ve had that fit my (completely imagined) idea of Rayas include Chapelle St Theodoric, Comando G, Terroir al Limit, and Tribute to Grace. In truth, I have no idea if these wines actually resemble Rayas, but being uninformed won’t stop me from suggesting them anyway!
Also, this thread might be helpful:
Instructions for using the internet, step #1 - Never miss the opportunity to opine or offer advice on something about which you are totally ignorant. 
From tasting experience over a long period of time, there is no substitute for Rayas CdP.
It’s an interesting list. I’ve had Rayas 3 times. before, and Pignan/Tours/Pialade a few more times than that. I’ve always found that those other Reynaud wines were naturally the closest thing to Rayas. Barring those, as someone that thinks Rayas is one of the greatest wines I’ve ever had and am constantly looking for other wines with similarities, I think “off-vintage” ie lower alcohol Pegau and Crau with 12+ years of age can have some of the same transparent red fruit notes (maybe cranberry instea of cherry) with good acidity/minerality that I associate with the Reynaud wines. I also enjoyed St Theodoric and have picked up a few bottles of that as well. Am intrigued in trying the other wines on the article’s list, haven’t had them before.
The usual thinking would be that all or nearly all Grenache from the pignan vineyard would be the nearest thing. Of those I have had, the upper cuvée of La Chapelle St. Theodoric, comes closest, but really not very close. Rayas is unique. So are other wines. Appreciate them each for what they are. Given how atrociously expensive Rayas is in the US, it is easy to see why one would search for a substitute. In my opinion, you would do better finding a wine you think is great and enjoying it for what it is.
The ‘there are no substitutes’ comments are indeed very helpful, as that is the simple truth - and should discourage the invetiably dissapointing quest to find a Rayas sub. Rayas is absolutely singular, and the wines you mention are not close. Some of them are great in their own right, but has nothing to do with Rayas.
“Alternatives”
Well yes that was the word used, but fair to interpret as wines with a resemblance to Rayas (if not substitutes). If that isn’t the interpretation, the list should have consisted of either other very singular wines like Soldera, or simply top Burgundies (or whatever your version of the best looks like…)
Yes, Rayas is singular. Much like d’Yquem and La Tache/Romanee Conti are. I’ve had the wine from off-vintages (1992, 1993 and 2008) and those didn’t miss a beat.
The old Vieux Telegraphs were comparable. The great wines went up to 1983, and the 1978 was particularly strong.
I have been fortunate to have had Rayas probably 70-80 times, with the 1990 Rayas (20+ times) being my all-time favorite wine, closely followed by the 1989 and sometimes rivaled by the 1988. My opinion is the closest substitute is clearly Pignan, but it is nearly as expensive and hard to find. The closest non-Rayas wine is the Chapelle St. Theodoric Le Grand Pin which literally neighbors Pignan and they’re named after the same tree(s). Charvin isn’t all that close.
respect a list that has Gour de Chaulé on it
I drink across the entire Rayas range regularly (maybe 6-8 bottles per year). I have tried all of these “alternatives” suggested by Noah except Terroir Al Limit. None of them come close in my opinion. They are very good wines but are not substitutes for Rayas.
Rayas is unique and for me there simply are no substitutes or alternatives
As others have said, the closest to Rayas are the other Reynaud wines.
cheers Brodie
Those were very good wines. They were not Rayas-like.
This.
Had Rayas just a handful of times but used to drink a lot of CdP. Had plenty of Pignan. Chuck’s response is essentially what I would have said. Le Grand Pin is a pretty cool CdP. Still…it’s not Rayas