A whole different beast, the 2010 Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Part des Anges is a blend of 70% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache, and 10% Syrah that was aged 18 months in small barrels. Full throttle and pedal to the metal, it oozes black and blue fruits, graphite, licorice, crushed flowers, saddle leather, and hints of chocolate aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, gorgeously proportioned, and dare I say, even elegant, it has palate staining levels of fruit, brilliantly polished tannin, and blockbuster length. Given the overall size and slight modern profile, it will not be for everyone; nevertheless, it is a stunning Châteauneuf-du-Pape that will have 20-25 years of evolution.

The massive 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee La Parte des Anges reveals huge extraction abundant new oak and an intense full style. While there is a tendency to call this modern-styled the 70% Mourvedre component puts it in a different category than a traditional Chateauneuf du Pape. Wines such as the Perrins' Beaucastel Hommage a Jacques Perrin Manfred Krankl's and Philippe Cambie's Chimere and a few other offerings dominated by Mourvedre come to mind when tasting this cuvee. This 2010 needs to be forgotten for 5-8 years and drunk over the following 25-30 years. 92+