Domaine de la Mordoree Cotes du Rhone La Dame Rousse

This is a high-powered Cotes du Rhone. With upfront, big, bold fruit, it hits all the right notes. It's a lovely mix of enticing and serious, with some regional garrigue, crushed rock, aniseed, and little wafts of something more perfumed. That fruit is almost plump and easy going, but the tannins pull it all in and keep everything grumbling along. I know the general rule is to drink a CDR immediately, but I'd love to see this guy in five years or so. It's fantastic right away, but there's enough in the tank to ensure it develops a little more nuance over the next few years. In the grand scheme of things, this is amazing value, and it simply goes to demonstrate why so many people regard this estate as one of the greats. Everything they do at every level is amazing.

40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, 10% Carignan, 5% Mourvèdre.