2016 | Pierre Usseglio | Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul

Limpid ruby-red. Intensely perfumed, spice-accented aromas of ripe red and blue fruits, potpourri and incense expand steadily with air. Palate-staining raspberry and boysenberry flavors are complemented by an exotic floral pastille quality and suggestions of star anise and allspice.

Reviews:

• Wine Advocate: All Grenache, all whole cluster and from parcels in the lieux-dits of La Guigasse, Le Crau and Les Serres, the 2016 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée de Mon Aieul has evolved beautifully since I tasted it last year, showing vibrant floral and tea-like notes, raspberry fruit and hints of licorice. It's full-bodied, rich and velvety, with overtones of spice cake on the long, crisp finish. Tasting it, I was surprised to find out what the alcohol level was, because it showed no obvious heat - a testament to how much else is going on here.

• Jeb Dunnuck: Getting more than one exclamation in the notes, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de Mon Aïeul is a deep, rich yet vibrant red that offers a kaleidoscope of kirsch liqueur, garrigue, crushed flowers, Asian spices, and cured meats. It's more opulent and sexier than the 2010, fresher and purer than the 2007, has deep, full-bodied aromas and flavors, and a huge finish. It's a sensational, heavenly Châteauneuf-du-Pape that tops out my scale. This cuvée is 100% Grenache that was not destemmed and was aged in 20% demi-muids and the balance in concrete tanks.

Producer Information

Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils is a leading wine estate in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region. It is known for its robust, full-bodied and richly textured wines made predominantly from Grenache. The company dates back to 1948 when Italian immigrant Francis Usseglio bought 8 hectares (20 acres) in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with the first wine under his own label appearing a year later. His son Pierre later greatly extended the holdings, and today the domaine is managed by Pierre's sons Jean-Pierre and Thierry. The estate has around 26 hectares (64 acres) of Châteauneuf vineyards – including one hectare of Châteaneuf-du-Pape blanc (white) – spread over numerous different parcels in the La Crau, Serres and la Bedine subzones, with a large proportion of vines over 65 years old. Other vineyard holdings include six hectares in Lirac (red), six hectares of Côtes du Rhône and two hectares classified as Vin de France. Pierre Usseglio makes four red Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines. The generic wine, also referred to as the Cuvée Tradition, is made of 80 percent Grenache and aged in barrels and vats for 12 months. The Cuvée de Mon Aïeul is 100 percent Grenache from selected vineyard parcels, while the Réserve des 2 Frères is blended from different parcels of finished wines. In some years, neither of these wines are made. The rarest red is is the Not for You! cuvée, another varietal Grenache made in the very best years from vines no younger than 95 years old. A single barrel is selected after tastings and aged for 36 months, making just 300 bottles of wine. There have been several one-off releases over the years. Usseglio also makes a white Châteauneuf-du-Pape (also known as Cuvée Tradition blanc) from 60 percent Clairette, 35 percent Grenache Blanc and 5 percent Bourboulenc. The portfolio is completed by a Côtes du Rhône, a Lirac rouge, and Unique (previously labeled Panorama), a Vin de France.

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