2016 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée 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. Rich but bright and energetic as well, showing superb finishing clarity, smooth, well-knit tannins and persistent florality. Made entirely with whole clusters and aged in a 60/40 combination of concrete vats and oak demi-muids .

Produced from 100% old vine Grenache that is planted in 3 different terroirs. Every in this wine really works for the blend this year. Full bodied, deep, lush and opulent in character, the wine has concentration, length and freshness. The deep red berries offers sweetness and purity with gorgeous textures. This should age quite well.

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. When you consider what this estate has accomplished over the past two decades, it’s easy to include Domaine Pierre Usseglio as not only one of the top addresses in Châteauneuf-du-Pape but in all of France as well. They have been on a sensational roll since 1998 and have yet to put a foot wrong. And that’s apparent with these latest 2016s, which I believe are the best wines ever produced here. In addition to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape releases, the estate makes a fabulous Côtes du Rhône and Lirac, both of which over-deliver.