2015 Domaine de la Mordorée Lirac Cuvée de la Reine des Bois, France, Rhone, Wine Review

This is always one of the better values in Rhone wines. They make two cuvees, this being the better of the two. This is a blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 30% Mourvèdre. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is great with black raspberries, black cherries, plums, spice and smoked herbs. On the palate, this is medium bodied. Complex. The fruits carry thru. Light tannins. Good acidity. Long finish. This drinks well on its own but also works well with a wide variety of foods. Works with casseroles, pizza or grilled foods. It will continue to mature for a couple more years and make excellent drinking for the next five to seven years.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2015

Current Price:

$35.00USD

2008 Hospice du Rhone Events: Highs & Lows of American Rhone-style Wines Tasted

The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. The 16th annual Hospice du Rhone events in Paso Robles, California from May 1 to 3, 2008 was an opportunity to consider Rhone-style wines from a fresh perspective. Unlike most tasting opportunities, these events included Rhone-style wines from the Rhone Valley itself (51 wineries), elsewhere in France (4 wineries) as well as from Spain (4 wineries), Australia (17 wineries), South Africa (6 wineries), Chile (2 wineries), Argentina (1 winery) and the United States. The American wines were mostly from California (144 wineries), but a few examples from Arizona (2 wineries) and Washington State (5 wineries) were also included. While this is a California-dominated event, and while many of the Rhone Valley’s best producers aren’t represented, there is still sufficient European and other entries to make for interesting comparisons and contrasts. The events included two general tastings and a series of focused seminars.

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Rhone Valley & Spanish Rhone-style Wines Tasted at the 2008 Hospice du Rhone Events

The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. Last month we reported on American Rhone-style wines we tasted at the 16th annual Hospice du Rhone events in Paso Robles, California from May 1 to 3, 2008. We noted that this event was an opportunity to consider Rhone-style wines from a fresh perspective because, unlike most tasting opportunities, these events included Rhone-style wines from the Rhone Valley itself (51 wineries), elsewhere in France (4 wineries) as well as from Spain (4 wineries), Australia (17 wineries), South Africa (6 wineries), Chile (2 wineries), Argentina (1 winery) and the United States. While this was a California-dominated event, and while many of the Rhone Valley’s best producers weren’t represented, there was still sufficient European and other entries to make for interesting comparisons and contrasts.

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Lessons from the Annual Rhone Rangers Tasting, 2007 Part II

The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. Part II: Reds Last month we presented some lessons we learned from tasting whites and roses at the 2007 edition (March 18) of the annual Rhone Rangers tasting at Fort Mason in San Francisco. This month we discuss some lessons we learned from tasting reds.

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Northern Rhone Red: The Original Syrah

It’s summer, which means that for three months we say goodbye to rich, heavy red wines and welcome into our repertoire zippy whites and crisp roses to sip on the porch while soaking in the sun. That’s what most of the country does, at least. But not here. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, whose summer comes in the fall and spring, whose spring comes in the winter, and whose winter comes in the summer (and whose fall never comes).

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2006 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de la Reine des Bois, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2006

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$125.00USD

A tremendous Chateauneuf year in and year out. This is drinking great right now. 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Vaccarese and miscellaneous grapes. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has black cherries, plums, spice/garrique, slight bacon fat and dried flowers. On the palate, this is just approaching prime. Lush black cherry fruit with plums and underlying spices and earthiness. Great texture. Complex. Vibrant. Long finish. This drinks great on its own and works well with a diverse set of roasted foods. It should drink well for the next ten to twelve years.

2015 Domaine de la Mordorée Lirac Cuvée de la Reine des Bois, France, Rhone, Wine Review

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Related Articles

2008 Hospice du Rhone Events: Highs & Lows of American Rhone-style Wines Tasted

Rhone Valley & Spanish Rhone-style Wines Tasted at the 2008 Hospice du Rhone Events

Lessons from the Annual Rhone Rangers Tasting, 2007 Part II

Northern Rhone Red: The Original Syrah

2006 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de la Reine des Bois, France, Rhone, Wine Review