Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Cuvée de la Reine des Bois 2020
Domaine de la Mordorée
The Cuvée de la Reine des Bois consistently stands among the top cuvées of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and 2020 is a great vintage for the southern Rhône. The wine has the concentration and structure to age for two decades, but its balance makes it approachable now with a proper decant. This is Châteauneuf that knows what it is.
Nose
Dark cherry and blackcurrant dominate, interlaced with dried violet and a smoky, garrigue-like herbal quality. There is a pronounced mineral undertone — like warm stone — with hints of cedar and a subtle meatiness.
Palate
Dense and structured, with layers of black fruit, cedar, and a savory, almost gamey character that speaks to its old-vine Grenache base. The tannins are fine-grained but firm, and a streak of mint freshness prevents the richness from becoming heavy.
Finish
Very long and complex, with lingering blackcurrant, cedar, and a stony mineral note that recalls the galets roulés of the appellation.
- Varietal
- Grenache
- Blend
- Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Counoise, Vaccarèse
- Vineyards
- Old vines (90+ years average), galets roulés soils, multiple Châteauneuf-du-Pape parcels
- Alcohol
- 15.5%
- Organic / Biodynamic
- No
Food Pairing
Slow-braised lamb shoulder rubbed with herbes de Provence, served over creamy white beans with roasted garlic — the wine's structure and garrigue aromatics find a natural counterpart in the lamb.
The Delorme family has farmed this estate in Tavel and Châteauneuf-du-Pape since 1986, with their top red cuvée drawn from vines averaging over 90 years old rooted in the appellation's iconic round stones — galets roulés — that store the fierce Provençal sun.
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