2011 Domaine de la Mordoree Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de la Reine des Bois

Domaine de la Mordoree is in Tavel, in the southern Rhone Valley. The 135-acre estate in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellations is owned and run by Christophe Delorme, who started the winery in 1986. His vineyards are in La Crau, La Nerthe, Cabrieres, Le Bois de Ville. He also have vineyards in Lirac, Tavel and in Cotes du Rhone. Named after a woodcock, or "mordoree," the estate has earned a stellar reputation for its portfolio of wines, which include red, white and rose. The flagship wine is the Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee La Reine des Bois (“the queen of the woods”), which typically earns outstanding ratings from critics. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “anything labeled Cuvee La Reine des Bois is a must purchase. Furthermore, Mordoree’s assortment of roses and Cotes du Rhones are out of this world.”

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the appellation, is a large area of nearly 8,000 vineyard acres centered around the picturesque town of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Located in southeastern France just north of the Avignon hills, the name of the appellation means “new castle of the pope” and it is a reference to the 14th century, when the Popes of Avignon built summer homes in the Southern Rhone Valley. Today the appellation is one of the most renowned in France and its terroir is known for layers of small pebbles, called “galets.” The stones in the soil are thought to help store heat and keep the soil warm, which helps ripen the grapes. The stones also help keep the soil from drying out in hot summer months. In 1923 Châteauneuf-du-Pape was a leader in establishing the idea that AOC wines in France should be made only with specified grapes, and the appellation allowed 13 grape varieties to be used. Since then the rules have been slightly modified to include several more allowable grapes. Red and white wines are produced, though in practice about 97% of all Châteauneuf –du-Papes are reds made with a blend of Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Counoise, Mourvedre, Muscardine, Syrah and Vaccarese. The red wines of this appellation are prized for being big, rich, spicy and full-bodied. White wines of the appellation are made with Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Picpoul and Picardin. Whites are floral, fruity and relatively full-bodied.