Domaine de la Mordorée Reine des Bois Châteaneuf-du-Pape 2020

Domaine de la Mordorée’s Reine des Bois Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020 is a powerful, polished red that captures the southern Rhône at its most refined and expressive. Sourced from old-vine parcels and crafted with meticulous care, it marries intensity and finesse in a way that has made this cuvée a reference point for the appellation. The 2020 vintage is particularly vibrant, offering depth of fruit, layered complexity and a structure built for graceful aging.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Reine des Bois 2020 shows a deep, shimmering ruby to garnet hue with a violet rim, hinting at both concentration and freshness. The nose is wonderfully complex and perfumed: ripe blackberries, Morello cherries and wild strawberries mingle with notes of garrigue herbs (thyme, rosemary, lavender), licorice, black pepper and a subtle touch of cocoa and smoked tea. With air, it reveals floral hints of dried rose and violets, along with a mineral, almost stony undertone. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet remarkably poised, with a silky texture wrapped around a firm, fine-grained tannic core. Dark berry and red cherry fruit are layered with savory notes of tapenade, dried herbs, sweet spices and a faint sanguine edge that is very true to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The acidity is fresh and well integrated, stretching the flavors into a long, persistent finish. While already seductive in its youth, the 2020 has the structure to evolve beautifully for 10–15 years, gaining further complexity and harmony with cellaring.

Production
Reine des Bois is sourced from some of Domaine de la Mordorée’s best plots in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, rooted in classic Rhône terroirs of galets roulés (rounded river stones), clay and sandy soils that promote both ripeness and aromatic finesse. The estate is known for its sustainable, often organic and biodynamic-leaning viticulture, with low yields and careful attention to vine health. Grapes are harvested by hand at optimal maturity, with rigorous sorting to keep only the healthiest, most concentrated berries. Vinification typically involves a blend dominated by Grenache, complemented by Mourvèdre, Syrah and other permitted Rhône varieties, fermented in temperature-controlled vats with a mix of whole and destemmed clusters to balance fruit purity and structure. Aging takes place in a judicious combination of tanks and large or older oak, emphasizing terroir-driven character over overt wood influence, which is particularly well-judged in the 2020 vintage.

Food & Serving
This Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a natural partner for richly flavored, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine: think slow-braised lamb shank with rosemary, herb-crusted roast beef, duck with olives, or game dishes such as venison or wild boar. It also shines alongside grilled ribeye, mushroom ragù, truffle-infused dishes and aged hard cheeses like Comté or Pecorino. Serve at 16–18°C (about 60–64°F) to showcase both fruit and spice. In its youth, decanting for 1–2 hours is advisable to soften the tannins and allow the aromatics to fully unfurl; as it matures, a shorter decant or gentle splash in a carafe will be sufficient.

Producer
Domaine de la Mordorée, founded by the Delorme family in the early 1980s, has risen to become one of the Rhône Valley’s most respected estates, particularly known for its precision and consistency across a range of appellations from Tavel to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Situated near Tavel, the domaine farms a mosaic of parcels, many planted with old vines, and has long championed meticulous vineyard work and environmentally conscious farming. Reine des Bois is the estate’s flagship cuvée, regularly earning top critical acclaim and helping to cement Mordorée’s reputation as a benchmark producer in the southern Rhône. Their wines are prized for combining richness and ripeness with freshness, detail and an unmistakable sense of place.

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