Another good value from Domaine de la Mordoree (which has made many great Chateauneuf du Papes since the mid-90s) is their 2009 Cotes du Rhone La Dame Rousse red. Made from an intriguing blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, 10% Carignan, and 5% Counoise, it exhibits copious aromas of new saddle leather, meat juices, black currants, cherries, spice box, and garrigue. This dark ruby-hued, medium-bodied 2009 is not as stunning as its 2007 counterpart, but it is a very good wine to drink over the next 3 years. Although the 2009 Tavel Rose La Reine des Bois is too expensive for this report ($34.00; rated 92 points), I mention it here because for two of the last three vintages it has been the finest dry rose I have tasted from France. However, the quality of the other Mordoree roses for a much lower price are so good, it is hard to justify the higher priced La Reine des Bois.Importer: Fran Kysela, Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228; Fax (540) 722-9258

A little closed and funky at first but it opened up to plummy, blackberry and forest floor aromas. Bold, brash fruit intensity on the palate showing lots of ripe jammy fruit. chocolate and licorice. Full-bodied, fresh with crunchy tannins to support the rich texture. ——W.E.(10/15/2010)—— 87