Over the past dozen or so years we have amassed a significant collection of vintages from one of the finest properties in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The Domaine de la Mordorée was created by Francis Delorme and his son, Christophe, in 1986, bringing together 57 hectares divided into 38 plots over 8 communes. Christophe – nature lover, perfectionist, driven and passionate winemaker – elevated the estate to the top flight over 30 years.
Sadly, Christophe died too young; his last vintage was 2015. The estate is now ably looked after by his wife and their daughter who have seized Christophe’s unshakeable environmental principles and continue to apply them with the same dedication. It was farmed organically throughout from 2013, until 2020 when the entire vineyard was certified Biodynamic Agriculture. Collectively, they have encouraged sustainable ecosystems in the vineyards and the natural balances of the different soils allow the vines to have defences against insect attacks, fungi and bacteria, as well as resilience in the face of weather extremes.
What this illustrates perfectly is that such passion and fine attention to detail, with canny, instinctive winemaking, can earn results even in in less well-reckoned years when many other properties who are less focused fail to achieve. Good winemaking will triumph in minor vintages, but bad winemaking will fail even in the good years. Christophe was one of the best.
Here are half a dozen wines, a nearly consecutive record of six vintages of Christophe’s production in his prime. You could taste them in a single, extravagant flight with friends or quietly work your way through them, one at a time slowly. However you might care to enjoy them – and you surely would – this is an offer that you could not find anywhere else.
It is obviously an unashamedly luxurious six-pack, though with a tempting reduction to soften the blow. This will appeal to all lovers of great Rhône reds and Châteauneuf-du-Pape in particular, as well as fans of big, beefy reds in general; it is a perfect Christmas treat.
Each of these is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Counoise and Vaccarèse. The proportions of these vary from year to year depending on how successful each variety is and how they are likely to interact with one another. They all come from organic and biodynamic Demeter certified vineyards where harvesting is done selectively and by hand. Only indigenous yeasts are used and sulphites are limited.
The Wines
These are all at Mordorée’s “La Reine des Bois” level and all Châteauneuf-du-Pape. There is one bottle each from 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2104 and 2015 vintages. The younger wines could be left for a few years longer but can be enjoyed now; the older wines are readier but can still be kept.
This case would normally sell for £279.00, but we are offering it to you at £239.00, a saving of £40.00 and we have just 9 cases to offer for sale.
Please click here for details.
