Domaine de la Mordorée Mordorée Reine des Bois 2008

A top 2008, the Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de la Reine des Bois bottling offers superb balance and an overall elegant, fresh character. The wine is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah, 2.5% Counoise and 2.5% Vaccarèse that’s aged half in oak, of which only 12% is new, and half in tank. Raspberry, spice, licorice, and subtle roasted meats are present on the nose and lead to a medium bodied, mid-weight palate. Very classy and focused, the wine has ultra fine tannin adding length on the finish. This will drink well over the next 10 to 15 years. While this is without a doubt made in the Mordorée style of pure, polished and rich fruit, it’s very elegant and streamlined as opposed to a wine of power and impact. Tasted twice.

Deep ruby. A pungent but reticent nose displays cherry, blackcurrant and notes of cracked pepper and licorice. Then sappy and expansive in the mouth, offering powerful dark fruit flavors complicated by smoky Indian spices. This is far from your average 2008 in style. Boasts impressive texture and concentration and finishes with very good thrust and clarity.

One of the top wines of the vintage is the 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de la Reine des Bois. Made from a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah and the rest equal parts Counoise and Vacarrese, the wine is aged in two-thirds stainless steel tanks and one-third in small barrels. This strong effort is already delicious, which gives it somewhat of an advantage over other great vintages which often need 5-8 years of cellaring. A dark plum/ruby color is followed by an attractive nose of raspberries, licorice, black currants and kirsch. Evolved, complex and silky smooth, this full-bodied, impressive 2008 should be drunk during its first decade of life.