Bin Numbers 60-67

60 Domaine de La Mordoree
La Mordoree has lifted itself to a place among the elite of Rhone valley winegrowers in the space of 15 years; the challenge that the young owner, Christophe Delorme, gave himself, was to make the best wine in each of the appellations in which he produced, while respecting the local environment and its people. The estate, pieced together by acquiring small holdings beginning in 1986 (a selection of the best terroirs and a range of micro-climates), now includes 60 hectares scattered over 38 parcels on 8 different communes. The vineyard is painstakingly tended, with careful attention to soils and vines, resulting in consistently healthy grapes at harvest time, the primordial condition for making great wine. Careful vinification produces wines of a style that reflects the character of the terroir. Chock-full of fruitiness in their youth, the wines develop over time to reveal the finest qualities of their terroirs. The Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de la Reine des Bois Domaine de la Mordoree is in great demand and, if such things matter to you, has been consistently rated as one of the best Chateauneuf du Pape’s by American wine guru Robert Parker Cuvee de la Reine des Bois is a designation Christophe Delorme gives to only his best wines An alluring, understated nose of blackcurrant, roasted red pepper and game. Huge grip, decadent and very tannic. Liquorice, spice, black olives and game. Very long finish, an awesome wine.

61 Le Vieux Donjon
Owned by Lucien Michel & his wife Marie-Jose who make only one cuvee of red Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Usually comprising of 75% Grenache (from vines averaging 90 years of age) 15% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre/Cinsault, retaining 50% of the stems during fermentation to build the wine's structure. Full bodied and with enormous depth of fruit, this well balanced wine is redolent with aromas and flavours of dark fruit, truffles, leather and pepper. A wine with exquisite balance.

62-64 Domaine Rene Rostaing
One of the great names of Côte Rôtie. He started out in 1971, with just 0.47 ha of Côte Rôtie vineyards, split between the Côte Blonde and La Landonne. In the best years there are four Cuvées of Côte Rôtie produced here. The La Landonne is generally regarded as the top Cuvée, and hass a lovely, clear, ripe nose of black cherries, iodine and a touch of tinned prune. The full-bodied palate is very dense with very good weight and grip. Spicy black fruits, very backward and surly, but the finish is compellingly long. The Côte Blonde a close contender, a particularly gentle, classically ‘feminine’ style of Côte Rôtie, the palate is gamey with notes of melted tar, cooked meats and a touch of blueberry. Quite complex. Feminine with seamless tannins. This is one of the best Rostaing wines. Only 500 cases of the Cote Blonde and La Landonne are made each year. 72 Sandeman LBV 2000 Fully mature and released ready for drinking, this is an intense Port Wine, with good structure and great harmony. Deep ruby red, with ripe fruit aromas and a rich taste in a perfect balance of evolution and concentrated, powerful tannins. Drink with rich chocolate desserts, red fruit tarts, creamy cheese. 

65  Sandeman LBV 
Fully matured and released ready for drinking, this is an intense wine with good structure and great harmony. Deep ruby red, ripe fruit aromas and a rih taste.

66 Vau Vintage.
Blended with a high proportion of Touriga Franca, this opaque, deep red Port has hints of figs, sweet, powerful fruit and a molasses edge.

67 Vintage 1994
A classic Vinatge Port, good rains during 1993 and a hot summer allowed for full maturation. Deep ruby colour, well balanced an excellent young vintage.