A blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault and 10% Clairette, the 2022 Tavel La Reine des Bois is a touch darker in hue than its stablemate, the La Dame Rousse, but it's still not among the darkest of Tavels in the glass. That's perfectly okay, as the aromas and flavors are textbook for the appellation: crushed stone, flowering garrigue, ripe cherries and mouthwatering strawberries, all capped off by refreshing citrus-zest notes on the lengthy finish. Full-bodied and full-flavored, it's one of the candidates for top Tavel this year.

The 2020 Tavel La Reine des Bois ratchets up the length and intensity from the excellent La Dame Rousse bottling. A blend of 60% Grenache, 15% Clairette, 10% each Cinsault and Syrah and 5% Bourboulenc, it delivers waves of raspberries and cherries on the nose, leavened by hints of peach and citrus. Medium to full-bodied, it's round and mouthfilling, yet it retains a wonderful sense of freshness and lift on the long, mouthwatering finish.

Always one of Tavel's best bottlings, Mordorée's 2018 Tavel La Reine des Bois is a bit less ripe and impressive than previous vintages, but it's still excellent. Hints of crushed stone accent red currant and grapefruit aromas, while the medium to full-bodied palate is smooth, silky and intense, finishing on a peppery note.

Bold, intense and flavorful, the 2017 Tavel La Reine des Bois continues to set the standard for the appellation. It's a rich, full-bodied rosé, with lush, mouth-filling flavors of cherries, raspberries and white chocolate, underscored by lime zest and refreshing brine notes. The price is creeping up, but it remains a benchmark in terms of quality.

The 2016 Tavel La Reine des Bois is among those at the very top of the appellation. It's full-bodied, ripe and rich, marrying ample fruit with complex spice notes and a wonderfully silky texture.