A blockbuster-styled effort, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de La Reine des Bois doesn’t pull any punches and gives up rocking aromas and flavors of black raspberry, cassis, graphite, spice-box, lavender and herbs. Possessing full-bodied richness, sweet tannin and thrilling purity, it can be enjoyed now for its exuberant character, but will also evolve gracefully going forward. - Jeb Dunnuck

(95+ points) The 2009 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de la Reine des Bois is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and the rest a mix of Syrah, Counoise, and Vaccarese, that is aged 30% in French oak and the rest in stainless steel. Exuding class and elegance, with a slightly regal profile, this delivers brilliantly pure and clean aromas of blackberry, crème de cassis, coffee, licorice, and edgy minerality on the nose. Fresh and energetic aromatically, the palate follows suite with medium to full body, a pure, precise, and focused texture, solid concentration, and a classically styled, structured finish that highlights ripe, polished tannin. Not as large scaled as some previous vintages, this shines for its purity of fruit and impeccable balance. While approachable now, it should nonetheless be long lived and have two decades of prime drinking.

Flashy, fleshy, modern styled wine with a full body, good concentration, loads of ripe fruits, plush mouth feel and more oak to resolve. Give it a few more years in the cellar for better integration. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2009&wine=Domaine%20de%20la%20Mordoree%20Chateauneuf-du-Pape%20Cuvee%20de%20la%20Reine%20des%20Bois

The 2009 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de la Reine des Bois is a blend of 80% Grenache 10% Mourvedre and the rest a mix of Syrah Counoise and Vaccarese that is aged 30% in French oak and the rest in stainless steel. Exuding class and elegance with a slightly regal profile this delivers brilliantly pure and clean aromas of blackberry crème de cassis coffee licorice and edgy minerality on the nose. Fresh and energetic aromatically the palate follows suite with medium to full body a pure precise and focused texture solid concentration and a classically styled structured finish that highlights ripe polished tannin. Not as large scaled as some previous vintages this shines for its purity of fruit and impeccable balance. While approachable now it should nonetheless be long lived and have two decades of prime drinking. 95+

Very youthful with lots of exuberant richly layered blackberry boysenberry cassis and plum fruit flavors. The solid structure is buried deep on the spice- and anise-filled finish. Flashy but has the stuffing to unwind nicely in the cellar. Best from 2012 through 2025. 2000 cases made. -JM

As usual at this young age, the new oak used for aging this cuvée stands out a bit, giving the plummy fruit aromas a cedary, menthol-tinged veneer. But on the palate the wine shines, from its expansive, creamy mouthfeel to the captivating flavors of brandied cherries and powdered cinnamon. Drink now–2020. JOE CZERWINSKI