Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Reine des Bois 2009

96 points Jeb Dunnuck (Wine Advocate): "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. (8/27/14)"

95 points Robert Parker: "[$175 list] The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de la Reine des Bois is brilliant. A blend of 80% Grenache and the rest Mourvedre, Syrah and other approved varietals, it was aged in stainless steel (two-thirds) and smaller older barrels (one-third). Its inky purple color is followed by a gorgeous nose of blackberry and blueberry liqueur, lead pencil shavings, and a hint of raspberries. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated with abundant floral notes, stunning flavor depth, brilliant purity and sweet tannin, it will benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age (atypical for a 2009), and should drink well for 25+ years. Drink: 2011-2036. (Oct 2011)"

95+ points Jeb Dunnuck (Rhone Report): "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. (6/25/11)"

95 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "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. (Aug 2016)"

94 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "Vivid ruby. Deeply pitched black raspberry, cherry and floral aromas are brightened by notes of Asian spices and minerals. Rich and fleshy but shockingly lithe, offering juicy red and dark berry compote flavors and complicating notes of candied lavender and allspice. Finishes sweet and long, with outstanding clarity and persistence. (Jan 2012)"

93 points Decanter: "Minty aromas with concentrated red fruits and blackberries, and herbal hints of thyme. Fresh, cool and straight on the palate, with tight tannins. Drinking Window: 2022-2035. (Mar 2022)"

93 points Wine Spectator: "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. (6/30/11)"