(97+) A deep, voluptuous, and concentrated Châteauneuf-du-Pape that’s a blend of 100% Grenache that is aged all in foudre and neutral barrel, the 2010 Domaine Pierre Usseglio Cuvée de mon Aïeul is deep purple and...
(97+) A deep, voluptuous, and concentrated Châteauneuf-du-Pape that’s a blend of 100% Grenache that is aged all in foudre and neutral barrel, the 2010 Domaine Pierre Usseglio Cuvée de mon Aïeul is deep purple and semi-opaque in color and offers up a spectacular bouquet of blackberry, raspberry liqueur, roasted meats, spring flowers, licorice, and edgy minerality. Checking in at over 16% alcohol, yet showing no heat on the nose, it is fresh and beautifully focused aromatically. This full-bodied, layered, and lavishly textured Châteauneuf-du-Pape has fantastic concentration and masses of ripe tannin that are only partially concealed by the wine’s fruit. While possibly a notch down from the ’07, this is about as good as this cuvee gets. It will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age, and drink beautifully for 2+ decades.