2020 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de la Reine des Bois
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Tasting notes
Demeter certified. Fiery fruit, combining ripe red syrup with a more bitter and rounded character, reminiscent of earth and scrub. So far, so terroir. The alcohol is on the cusp of burn, and that gives the whole wine high-octane overdrive. Intense and impressive, and while there is potential for the flavour to develop, that high alcohol might always feel brusque. (RH)
Critic scores
James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape La Reine des Bois is a more charming, seductive wine than the more concentrated and tannic 2019. Cherries, stone fruit and a hint of garrigue mark the nose, while the full-bodied palate is supple, nicely balanced and harmonious, showing impressive length and ample concentration on the finish.
The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée De La Reine Des Bois is a bigger, richer, more structured wine, which is normal. A blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, and the rest equal parts Syrah and Vaccarese, its deeper ruby/purple hue is followed by a brilliant perfume of blackberries, black raspberries, ground pepper, violets, and new saddle leather. Medium to full-bodied and concentrated, with building tannins and great overall balance, it's another wine that shows the style of the vintage brilliantly. It has plenty of up-front charm, but this beauty will evolve nicely for 15-20 years. Looking at the vintages reviewed here, the estate compared 2020 to a mix of 2019 and 2018, commenting that their 2020s were less concentrated than their 2019s, which I wholeheartedly agree with, although I feel their 2020s still have plenty of structure. The 2021s show the fresher style of the vintage but don’t lack ripeness and have plenty of texture. As usual, all of these wines are impeccably made and worth seeking out.