Cote Rotie La Mordoree Chapoutier 2016

Côte-Rôtie ‘La Mordorée’ Chapoutier, Northern Rhone, France, 2016   

Grapes: 100% organic Syrah produced using biodynamic principles. 3 ha vineyard. Hand-picked. 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: 

"A blend of old vines in the lieux-dits of Côte Brune and Côte Blonde, the 2016 Cote Rotie la Mordorée shows a bit of cedary oak up front (it spent 18 months in 30% new barriques). It's full-bodied and ripe on the palate, with herb-tinged red fruit notes that show mammoth complexity and a fine, silky, long finish" Drink 2020-2035

95/100 points, Joe Czerwinski, WINE ADVOCATE, October 2018

"Gorgeous smoke and toast on the nose, with a charred black fruit character. The oak is very prominent, giving strong clove scent which the dense black cherry fruit just can't match at this stage. Formidable stuff!" Drink 2020-2034

17/20 points, Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, November 2017

This is a very steep, terraced vineyard located on the border of the “Côte Blonde”. The soil is composed of chlorite and ferruginous mica-schists in loess depressions and earth veins. This is made from 100% Syrah (no blend with viognier). The 70 years old vines produce tiny yields. This is an ample, elegant, very well-structured wine. The aromas develop into earthy and smoky notes typical of a great Côte-Rôtie.

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