2006 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Along with a dark, almost opaque color, the 2006 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape possesses a big nose of dark fruit, licorice and subtle spice notes. Rich and dense but slightly straightforward. This improves with air and is full bodied on the palate with ripe, lush fruit, a big mouth filling texture and gobs of sweet fruit on the tannic finish.

Bright red. Suave, precise red berry and cherry aromas are complemented by dried flowers, herbs and minerals. Fat and gently sweet, with vivid red fruit flavors and easygoing tannins. Very pretty and easy to drink, with excellent finishing lift and persistence.

The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and the rest Mourvedre and Cinsault, aged in tank (20%) and old wood foudres (80%), reveals classic Provencal typicity with its notes of sweet black cherries, lavender, licorice, roasted herbs, and meat. Soft and lush with a luxurious mouthfeel as well as a stunningly silky texture, this beauty can be enjoyed over the next 10-12 years. What a superlative performance from proprietors Jean-Pierre and Thierry Usseglio. This is one of the few estates where the 2006s are so great that they eclipse their brilliant 2005s, and come very close to what was accomplished in 2007.