Domaine de la Mordorée : La Reine des Bois Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022

The 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape La Reine des Bois, entirely destemmed and matured for 10 months in used barrels and stainless steel tanks, unwinds in the glass with aromas of dark wild berries, licorice, plum, garrigue and lead pencil. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and enveloping, it's textured and layered with a fleshy core of fruit, a dense mid-palate and velvety tannins, concluding with a licorice and saline finish. This is a robust and exquisitely crafted wine, embodying power with finesse.

A brooding, dark version, with a floral perfume followed by a concentrated stream of black licorice, currant and mulberry notes edged in graphite. Alder smoke hovers throughout the rich, round palate, with softened tannins gently paving the way for the long, chalky-textured finish. Give this time in the cellar to harmonize all of its elements. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Best from 2026 through 2038. 134 cases imported.

Huge and powerful, but so fresh. This has great driving intensity, with even bigger, more structural tannins than the domaine’s other cuvée. A rampaging Châteauneuf that will take time to settle, and will always be wild. Long, vibrant and chiselled. An absolute beast. Mordorée has been massive but overripe in the past; it's still massive but with this vintage the ripeness is more controlled, and it has transformed into something extraordinary. Fermented and aged 80% in stainless steel, the rest in old barrels.

A refined, high-class and well-composed blend of grenache, mourvedre, vaccarese and syrah. The nose expresses notes of wild berries, currants, dried herbs, black pepper and a hint of bark. It’s full-bodied with fine yet firm tannins. Well-built and focused, with a more delicate texture at the center. Bright and succulent, yet there is so much tension, structure and intensity. Vibrant peppery finish with length. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Try after 2026.

80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah and 5% Vaccarèse. Vinified and aged for 10 months in old oak barrels (20%) and stainless-steel tanks (80%). Certified organic and biodynamic. Tank sample. Tasted blind. Intense nose of violet and sweet blue fruits. Opulent and fleshy palate with real ripeness, sweetness and concentration. The tannins are firm and textured, and this will need some time to knit together; yet there is plenty to enjoy here! Full, opulent and sleek wine. (AC)

Vinified from certified biodynamic grapes, the perfumed 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Reine des Bois unwinds with attention-grabbing notes of spice box, rose petal, wild strawberry and a nuance of licorice. Shaped by firm tannins, the 2022 is a full-bodied and concentrated red Châteauneuf that’s built for the long haul. Don’t touch this prior to 2028.

Incense, flowers, cherries, black raspberries, and a hint of espresso fill the perfume. On the palate, the wine is sweet, round, concentrated, and lightly backward, so you need to allow it a bit of time for everything to better integrate before pulling a cork. Drink from 2027–2038.

Dark core with a youthful purple hue. Ripe and unctuous nose with fine nuance blending garrigue, bay leaf, kirsch, sweet plum and red berry notes. Bold and dense palate with a youthful texture, yet with a good level of freshness from the fine tannin, long and lingering finish with plenty of sweet fruit and dry spiciness.

The 2022 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée De La Reine Des Bois is based on 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, with the rest Counoise and Vaccarèse. It’s not massive yet exudes class and elegance, with both red and black fruits that give way to more spice, peppery garrigue, and leather, with classic background notes of licorice and black olive. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and elegant, with silky tannins, this brilliant Châteauneuf du Pape will evolve for two decades.