2012 - Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Reine Des Bois, Domaine de la Mordoree

One of the blockbusters in the vintage, the inky-colored 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape La Reine des Bois – 80% Grenache, completely destemmed and aged 12 months in 80% stainless steel and 20% old barrels – offers fantastic richness and depth in its blackberry liqueur, graphite, wood smoke and crushed-rock-like aromas and flavors. An elegant, stylish and polished example of this cuvée, it comes closest in my mind to a lighter-weight 2010. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and with fine tannin, it will drink well for 10-15 years.

Inky ruby. High-pitched red and dark berry scents are complemented by suggestions of candied flowers and smoky Indian spices. Silky, sweet and palate-staining, offering intense black raspberry and blueberry flavors and an exotic twist of blood orange. Manages to be both powerful and lithe, finishing with harmonious tannins and outstanding clarity and length.

Vineyard soil: galets, chalk. Grape varieties: 80% Grenache, 2.5% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Vaccarèse, 2.5% Counoise.Very dark. Full-on black cherry sweetness. Lots of drive and solid matter. Quite an energetic wine though I wouldn't mind a little more fruit on the mid palate. Clean and bracing anyway. (JR)