The 2011 La Dame Rousse Tavel Rose, which is 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and the rest equal parts Cinsault and the white grape Clairette. Full-bodied and substantial on the palate, with stunning notes of strawberry and kirsch intermixed with licorice, lavender and spring flowers, this is about as good a rose as one can find in the marketplace, but it is not for those looking for a somewhat innocuous, lighter-styled rose. This wine delivers in an authoritative, surprisingly intense style. Drink it over the next 1-3 years. Perhaps the best rose made in the world today is Mordoree’s Tavel Rose La Reine des Bois ($34.00; 94 points for the 2011). As I have said in the past, the vintages I have tasted to date are as profound as a rose can be. It is more similar to a light red wine than any rose I have tasted, but it is expensive, particularly for a rose.
I will have my reviews of the more expensive wines from Domaine de la Mordoree (in excess of $25) in the October issue, which will include their stunning 2010s and their as-of-yet untasted 2011s, except for those early-bottled wines whose reviews follow.
Importer:Fran Kysela, Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; Tel. (540) 722-9228; Fax (540) 722-9258; www.kysela.com