2011 Domaine de la Mordorée Tavel Rosé La Dame Rousse
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Tasting notes
The 2011 La Dame Rousse Tavel Rose, which is 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and the rest equal parts Cinsault and the white grape Clairette. Full-bodied and substantial on the palate, with stunning notes of strawberry and kirsch intermixed with licorice, lavender and spring flowers, this is about as good a rose as one can find in the marketplace, but it is not for those looking for a somewhat innocuous, lighter-styled rose. This wine delivers in an authoritative, surprisingly intense style. Drink it over the next 1-3 years. Perhaps the best rose made in the world today is Mordoree’s Tavel Rose La Reine des Bois ($34.00; 94 points for the 2011). As I have said in the past, the vintages I have tasted to date are as profound as a rose can be. It is more similar to a light red wine than any rose I have tasted, but it is expensive, particularly for a rose. I will have my reviews of the more expensive wines from Domaine de la Mordoree (in excess of $25) in the October issue, which will include their stunning 2010s and their as-of-yet untasted 2011s, except for those early-bottled wines whose reviews follow. Importer:Fran Kysela, Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; Tel. (540) 722-9228; Fax (540) 722-9258; www.kysela.com
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Meaty savoury nose and then awfully sweet, almost sticky palate but it is certainly very sincere and finishes quite dry after the smear of lipstick on the palate. If you like Tavel, this is a good example. Not shy! (JR)
A classy, elegant rosé that’s a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, and 10% Clairette, the 2011 Domaine de la Mordorée Tavel Rosé La Dame Rousse highlights the best of Tavel and shows a deep pink color to go with loads of mineral-laced aromas of raspberry, cherry pit, and sappy garrigue that come soaring from the glass. Medium-bodied on the palate, with a rich, perfectly balanced mouth feel, integrated acidity, and fantastic length, this top-notch wine is almost too much for mid-week quaffing, and deserves to be paired with a meal. While it will certainly drink nicely for 2-3 years, I think it will show at its finest over the coming summer months.