Domaine Pierre Usseglio was founded in Chateauneuf-du-Pape by Pierre’s father, Francis in 1948. Pierre eventually took the reigns and, since 1999, his children have run the estate. The Domaine holds 15 small vineyard plots throughout the AOC, totaling 22 hectares. Only one of those hectares is planted to white grapes. The remainder, with a mix of rocky and sandy soils, represent approximately 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 6% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault, 2% Counoise and 2% Muscardin. Domaine Pierre Usseglio makes three red wines and one white.

Cuvee de Mon Aieul is a selection of grapes from vines 75 to 90 years old. They come from plots on La Crau, les Bédines or les Serres, where the soils are sand and stone, covered in the regions famous galets. A pure and concentrated wine, the nose is very complex with notes of raspberries, licorice and spices. It is a powerful wine yet retains great elegance, and is at its best between 10 and 12 years of age.

The 2020 Pierre Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul is a proprietary blend from the renowned Rhone region in Southern Rhone, France. This red wine, produced by Pierre Usseglio, is 100% old-vine Grenache. It is sourced from three distinct lieux-dits: Les Serres, La Crau, and La Guigasse, which contribute to its unique profile. The wine is sealed with a cork and has an alcohol content of 15.5%.

Jeb Dunnuck awarded this vintage an impressive 97 points. He describes it as having a “more ruby/plum color” and mentions an “incredible bouquet of mulled red and black fruits, sweet Provençal herbs, spice box, and graphite.” Dunnuck also notes its “sexy, full-bodied mouthfeel, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish,” comparing it favorably to the 2006 vintage and predicting it will evolve well for 15-20 years in proper cellaring conditions (jebdunnuck.com, 11/11/2022).

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate rated this wine between 91 and 93 points. The review highlights its origins from old-vine Grenache and describes the wine as “polite and restrained, with attractive raspberry shadings, silky tannins and a more elegant style than exhibited by past vintages” (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 5/5/2022).

Vinous gave the wine a score of 95, praising it for having an edge over the 2021 and 2019 vintages. Reviewer Nicolas Greinacher notes “enticing aromas of raspberry liqueur, ripe forest strawberry, red and black plum, black olive tapenade, licorice, abundant exotic spices and a splash of mint.” He further describes it as “full-bodied and rich, with ripe tannins enveloping the palate loaded with a juicy core of ripe red and black fruits” balanced by “lively acidity” (Vinous, 6/29/2023).

Overall, the 2020 Pierre Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul is highly regarded by critics for its rich, full-bodied profile, complex bouquet, and potential for aging. The excellent reviews from Jeb Dunnuck and Vinous particularly underscore its quality and appeal.