CDP Cuvée de la Reine des Bois, Domaine de la Mordorée 2008

One of the top wines of the vintage is the 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de la Reine des Bois. Made from a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah and the rest equal parts Counoise and Vacarrese, the wine is aged in two-thirds stainless steel tanks and one-third in small barrels. This strong effort is already delicious, which gives it somewhat of an advantage over other great vintages which often need 5-8 years of cellaring. A dark plum/ruby color is followed by an attractive nose of raspberries, licorice, black currants and kirsch. Evolved, complex and silky smooth, this full-bodied, impressive 2008 should be drunk during its first decade of life.