CÔTES DU RHÔNE

2016 Rouge La Dame Rousse Domaine de la Mordorée

EN PRIMEUR

Take a look at the Domaine de la Mordorée in my wines of the week – a 2016 red from the southern Rhône that’s gorgeous now, but will also improve over the next couple of years or so. Mordorée means woodcock, and the picture of this bird on the label makes all wines from this superstar southern Rhône producer easy to recognise. The domaine also makes Lirac and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but their cheapest bottle – this fragrant and rich yet fresh blend – is superb too. The star bottle of my New Year’s Eve.Victoria Moore, The Daily Telegraph (Jan 2018)

In Bond

75cl bottles (case of 12)

Duty Paid

75cl bottles (case of 12)

* This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.

Bursting with cherry-scented fruit, the 2016 Cotes du Rhone La Dame Rousse is a worthy value. Deeply concentrated and richly textured for a Côtes du Rhône, it should drink well for 5-8 years. Drinking range: 2017 - 2025 Rating: 89 Joe Czerwinski, www.robertparker.com (Oct 2017)

Surface: 14 ha Yield: 45 hl/ha Grape varieties: 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, 10% Carignan, 5% Mourvèdre Age of the vines: 20 years Soil: very varied: sandy or sandy-clayey, with small calcareous gravel Vinification: 100% destemming, 15 to 20 days maceration at a maximum temperature of 30°C Harvest: by hand Bottled at the Domaine Tasting Colour: deep red Aromas: very fruity (blackcurrant, red fruits and violet) Palate: freshness, fine tannins, nice long finish Goes with: cold meats, grilled meats, cooked meats and soft cheeses Serving temperature: 16 to 18°C Keeping: 4 to 5 years.Winemaker's notes (Aug 2017)

Started in 1986 by the Delorme family, Domaine de la Mordorée has become one of the top estates in the Rhône, with arguably the most consistent quality. The word 'Mordorée', literally 'bronze' or 'golden-brown' is one of the many poetic names for a woodcock, the symbol of the domaine. Other such names include the cuvée names - 'La Belle Voyageuse' (the beautiful traveller), and 'La Dame Rousse' (the russet lady). Founding winemaker Christophe Delorme's objective was to be unintrusive and maintain total respect for his terroir and the fruit it produces, striving to achieve a perfect balance between concentration, terroir and balance.

The domaine consists of 55 Hectares, on 38 different parcels, providing a rich, wide range of soils and micro-climates. The whole domaine has been certified organic since 2007.

Following Christophe's untimely death in 2015, his wife and daughter, Madeleine and Ambre, have taken on the running of the domaine, ably assisted by Rémy Chauvet, who was the cellarmaster under Christophe. As Jeb Dunnuck has put it in the Wine Advocate, 'the estate is obviously still in incredibly capable hands'.

OFFER PRICES: These offer prices are valid only for the offer period (and while stocks last), after which the prices will revert to normal for any remaining stock.

VAT: Our pre-shipment offers do not include VAT on either the In Bond OR Duty Paid prices.

TO ORDER: Please email sales@leaandsandeman.co.uk, or call your usual shop or L&S contact.

DELIVERY: THIS IS A PRE-SHIPMENT OFFER and the wines will be delivered when they are shipped - subject to our usual terms.

BOND DELIVERIES: Please specify if you are ordering In Bond, together with your account details. All Bond orders will be subject to a £15 + VAT documentation and delivery charge, except for Elephant Storage account holders.