"Deep vivid ruby. A highly perfumed bouquet displays ripe red and blue fruit preserve, incense, garrigue and cola aromas complicated by a vibrant mineral quality that gains strength as the wine opens up. Sweet, seamless and broad in the mouth, offering impressively concentrated Chambord, boysenberry, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that show superb clarity and lift. The blue fruit and floral notes power a strikingly long, spicy finish that's shaped by rounded, even tannins. This wine's marriage of heft to finesse is really impressive. - Josh Raynolds"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (July 2018), 96 pts
Go to Domaine de la Mordoree Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de la Reine des Bois
"A strapping, richly layered wine, teeming with blackberry, black currant and boysenberry paste flavors wrapped in a lively black licorice note. Stays juicy and energetic throughout, with light bramble and graphite nuances checking in on the very long and powerfully built finish. Best from 2020 through 2040.—James Molesworth"
"Incense, smoke, a touch of wood, wet earth and cherries comes through in the nose. On the palate, the wine is plush, round and polished with a spicy edge to the lifted, cherries in the finish. The wine was produced from a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah and 5% Vaccarese."
"The saturated purple-hued 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée De La Reine Des Bois is another brilliant wine from this estate. Made from 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, and 5% Syrah and Vaccarèse (as well as a few other varieties) brought up in 80% stainless steel and 20% old barrels, it offers an extraordinary bouquet of blackcurrants, chocolaty herbs, ground pepper, and graphite. Deep, rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, it stays pure and flawlessly balanced on the palate, with silky tannins. I love everything about this wine, which reminds me of a slightly plusher example of the 2010. It has some upfront charm today and will continue drinking brilliantly for 15 years or more."
"Warm and inviting, with a richly layered core of steeped plum, blackberry and cherry fruit. Hints of alder and mesquite check in, along with twinges of chestnut and brick dust. Offers a nice mix of modern and old school. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Best from 2023 through 2036. —James MOLESWORTH"