Cote Rotie La Mordoree M Chapoutier 2012

Côte-Rôtie ‘La Mordorée’ Chapoutier, Northern Rhône, France, 2012

Grape: Hand-picked 100% organic Syrah produced using biodynamic principles. Crop is entirely destemmed. Only free-run juice is vinified in concrete tank. Aged in 225l oak barrels for 14-18 months.

Producer Tasting Note:

Violet aromas, raspberry, predominant spices, a touch of black olive and “tapenade”, rosemary. On the palate, it is ample, elegant, very well-structured and balanced. It is a wine full of elegance, of rare concentration, with a distinguished palate. La Mordorée combines the floral aromas of the Côte Blonde with the darkness of the Côte Brune. The result is a remarkably powerful wine with good tension and density. A very elegant Côte Rôtie.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"Very dark and intense, almost stewed! Lots of sweet fruit but also some recognisable northern Rhône Syrah leather character. Good energy. A bit sweeter than usual." Drink 2017-2027

17/20 points, Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com, December 2013

"(all old Serine vines): Bright purple. Potent mineral- and spice-accented cherry and blackberry scents are complicated by notes of mocha, pipe tobacco and fresh flowers. Sweet and seamless on the palate, offering deeply concentrated dark fruit flavors that gain energy and spiciness with aeration. Powerful yet lithe and sharply focused, finishing very long, with strong cut and dusty tannins that sneak in late." Drink 2017-2032

94/100 points, Josh Raynolds, VINOUS, January 2015

"While I loved Michel's 2012 Cote Rotie la Mordoree from barrel, it blew me away from bottle, and I think bares more than a passing resemblance to his 1991. About as elegant and seamless as they come, it exhibits incredible notes of violets, peppery spice, spring flowers, rose petal and darker berry fruit. This is followed by a full-bodied, sweetly fruited, expansive Cote Rotie that's perfectly balanced, has beautiful mid-palate density, and ultra-fine tannin that emerge on the finish. It's a blockbuster effort to drink over the coming two decades." Drink 2016-2034

97/100 points, Jeb Dunnuck, WINE ADVOCATE, December 2014

Drink with small game such as pheasant or duck, tender red meat dishes in a red wine sauce, or soft cheeses.