This small report looks at the new Tavel releases from Domaine de la Mordorée. Located in the village of Tavel, this benchmark estate was founded in 1986 by Christophe Delorme and is today run by his daughter, Ambre. The domaine farms organically (and biodynamically in some parcels) and is one of the leading producers not just in Tavel, but across the Southern Rhône. The wines here, whether white, red, or rosé, are pure, precise, and consistently some of the leading wines in their appellation.
Looking at the releases reviewed here, all three of the Tavels are brilliant yet possess very different personalities. The La Dame Rousse is the most textbook expression of the appellation and checks all the right boxes. If forced to choose, I think this is the bottle I’d pour. It’s complex, lush, and round, without ever feeling heavy. In comparison, the Reine des Bois is more focused and elegant, with a slightly fresher, more mineral-driven style that will shine at the dinner table. The ultra-premium La Plume du Peintre is brought up entirely in oak, and it’s one of the rare rosés that handles this élevage beautifully. Rich, textured, and layered, it isn’t marked by its élevage but instead shows a seamless mouthfeel and beautiful length. It’s unquestionably a richer style of Tavel that demands a serious meal.