Tasted initially after an hour in a decanter. Smooth, savory and juicy. Full flavored but not big, Blackberry, blueberry and spice. More mellow and elegant than I expected. A touch of sweet and licorice. A very satisfying wine.
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Decanted for one hour with lots of sediment -- standing the bottle upright two days before opening helped. The wine continued to open during the meal. A dark red color to the rim. Plenty of dark fruit (black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, currant), spice, and even a touch of black licorice on the medium plus bodied palate. No hints of cooked fruit or the 14.5% abv. Crisp and balancing acidity with well-integrated tannins. Hard to believe that this bruiser of a wine is 100% Grenache! Should continue to hold and delight for several years.
On a personal note: This is my 2,500th Tasting Note for CellarTracker and I want to express my gratitude to all those CT members who take the time to write "full" tasting notes as they are helpful to those of us wondering when to pull the cork and whether to decant or slo-ox the wine for maximum enjoyment, not to mention what we might expect as we drink. Thank you.
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14.5% alcohol. Pure Grenache according to the domaine's website. Dark colour all the way to the rim. The nose is rich, but all the fruit is cooked, and there are even definite notes of Port (this is without decanting of course). The mouth is powerful, largely carried by the alcohol (which might well exceed the stated percentage); the cooked aspect of the fruit is more acceptable than on the nose, but the wine lacks elegance and balance. There is a definite sweet note in the finish. I have gone off this style of wine completely, and I would rank this bottle several notches below l'Or de Line 2018 which is the last CndP that I had. Not a repeat purchase. Whatever critic influenced me to purchase this wine at release was hopelessly misguided, and I was silly to follow his advice.
PS: looking back at my previous note from three years ago, I see that I was more positive at the time. Either the evolution of the wine has been unfavourable, or the two bottles showed variation, or my tastes have changed (unlikely to that extent, as I have never liked Port notes in my unfortified wines).
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Monthly Tasting Group: All the Rhones (A - Side Public House, St. Paul, MN): Very dark red color. Small glass over an hour plus. This kind of took awhile to come around. I was disappointed at first. Though every time I went back to it, it seemed to be a bit better. By an hour, I thought this was in a pretty good spot. Red fruit on the nose, shellac, dense and full boded, youthful for its age, dark fruit palate, more earth and leather notes come and a deeper sense of damp earth over time. I think this will improve further. 91+ to 92(+)pts.
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Drank with friends, no formal notes. Tertiary qualities are there. Kicked a moderate amount of sediment after two hours in a decanter. Nice black fruit, chocolate, and pipe tobacco notes. I would drink this up in the next 2-3 years.
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Popped and poured. This could have used a pretty good decant. Full bodied. Black currant, roast meats, earth, wood spice come through. This is quite chewy and tannic still but shows good depth and complexity. I’d let these snooze for another 5-10 years.
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I wanted to compare it side by side to a 2012 Saxum James Berry, but unfortunately this particular bottle is totally premoxed/tertiary dominated. Tons of sediment, pruny, notes of figs, raisins, sultanas. Sweetish and flabby on the palate. Based on the other tasting notes , I believe this is a problem with this particular bottle. Unfortunately, I have no other bottles to double check.
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I haven‘t checked in on this in a few years. This bottle was showing really nicely, Open and radiant, showing notes of kirsch, black and red cherries, some more darker berries too, leather, pepper, sweet spices, some herbal notes too, roasted bone marrow. Its‘ full-bodied and full-throttle, with medium acidity adding nice balance of freshness, some medium- tannin that has melted away considerably, but still adds a little grip to the bigger frame. Pretty long finish. An excellent, complex and full-bodied CdP. Stylistically probably not for everyone, but it has aged beautifully. I still have 5 more bottle that I will drink soon. Peak.
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PnP. Expressive nose red fruit. On the palate full bodied and a delicious syrupy texture. Silky fine tannins. Long finish yes with some heat but I don’t mind. Decent amount of powdered sediment. To me this is fantastic now. Doubt I will wait long on the other bottle I have.
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Dark ruby. Deeply perfumed nose of red and black fruit and spice. Full bodied, rich, with nice structure that is quite approachable now though still young and primary (especially in magnum). Lovely, promising wine.
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Still struggling with this wine. No where near the points it has from critics. Very big, lots of hypothetical potential but their is noticeable heat here on the finish and it’s a bit too much of everything. Wait and see.
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Opened this wine and for the first hour with was very fruit driven ; highly extracted-almost had a port like characteristic; Plus it had a little heat; after it opened up over the next 2 hours it softened and became more integrated. I think this wine will improve with more years in the bottle and the score would improve
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Second bottle of the in the last couple weeks. More or less same result. Attractive nose of blackberries, game and spice. The wine itself open pretty well with deep blackberry, blueberry, herbs, smoke but finishes hot. Again this may need time to settle down but at the moment it’s no where near the wine the critics had claimed it would be.
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Really, really good. In a good place. Drank well over four hours. Never lost a step. First drink was phenomenal, from PnP. I would give it a few more years before I would drink it again.
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Decanted two hours. Boysenberry and game on the nose. The wine is full bodied, very pure, blackberry, herbs, game and lots of spice. There is heat on the finish. This either mellows out and gets better or gets pruny. Time will tell.
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Even better than the bottle enjoyed on 28 Dec 2021. A bit more of everything and adding in a gamey component to the fragrance profile. Wonderful when paired with aged hard cheese and a stilton. Great length on the finish. I suspect this may develop further with a few more years of cellaring - although I have found that drinking CdP's on their ascendency is the way to go to avoid disappointment from them taking on too many pruny notes/brettiness.
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Dark berries, lavender, garrigue, charcoal and quite a bit of spiciness. There is considerable depth and structure. Like so many 2010 CNdPs, the tannins are dominant, even after a decade. This lacked the sweetness, the hint of brown sugar, I find in most Mon Aieuls; instead, there is a marked bitterness. A serious, brooding wine, impressive certainly, but it lacks the joy and playfulness I love in the Mon Aieul cuvee.
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Last had this CdP a year ago. Needed 3 hours to open up. A very unusual CdP. 100% Grenache. Lots of bramble, funk, dried cherry, licorice, pepper, leather, tobacco, blackberry, mushroom. Long finish.. Color showing age, maybe 3-5 more of prime drinking window.
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Monthly Tasting Group: Northern Rhone and a Couple CdP's (A - Side Public House, St. Paul, MN): Dark red color. PNP, drank a small glass over an hour. Really nice, cherry, underbrush, garrigue, and perfume on the nose. The palate is medium full bodied, polished tannins, cassis, funk, gravel and mineral notes, graphite, garrigue and spice. Loved it and it just kept getting better. Glad to have some. 93(+)pts.
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Drank Christmas night with Beef Wellington. Excellent match, although the Wellington stood out more than the wine. Nice overall balance and flavors, complemented by the mushrooms. Drink anytime.
This was an excellent bottle with such a fragrant nose of mostly red berries, incense, summer flowers and Mediterranean herbs. The palate followed suit with striking inner mouth perfume and a long energetic finish. I only wish I had decanted a bit longer as the flavour intensity and delineation really improved after a couple of hours just as the last drops were being poured. In a great place now but with a decade of runway ahead for well-stored bottles.
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Dark red, with no bricking on the edges. Palate is balanced. Very much a food wine. Confused over the high ratings of this wine. This is good wine, not a 95 point wine in my book. Professionally stored and bought on release.
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Fantastic bottle, had so much beautiful, bright red fruit, with this distinct cinnamon note right afterwards. Unique and compelling from the first sip.
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Last bottle and I am so happy it’s a good one... so much variability with this case...all stored in EuroCave but some were good some stewed... Tonight it’s a vibrant red purple color... Nose is plum, some spice but overall a bit reticent.. Taste is plum, definite spice, then a drying tannic finish merging with the fruit and the alcohol presence comes forward.. It’s definitely at or slightly past peak as I feel the fruit is starting to drop and letting the tannin alcohol start to take over
Decanted briefly. This is showing beautifully with great balance on the palate of red and black fruit, mature tannins, light acid, aromatic spice, and black pepper.
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14.5% alcohol. G 100% according to the property's website, although the back label mentions some S, Mrvdr and Cnslt. The cork is reasonably long, but above all it is of excellent quality, and it shows no wine penetration. Darkish colour with little sign of ageing. The nose is rather mute at first, but it opens up over time with macerated wild berries. The mouth is much more vivid with vg acidity and good length, although the alcohol does stick out a little too much. I don't know what causes the tingly sensation in the mouth, but it is not an unpleasant effect, and it livens up the experience (maybe a touch of VA?). There is a sweet-but-not-sugary component to this wine which actually adds to the overall perception. Very good length, and there is even some grip in extremis... Interesting to compare this bottle with the Pegaü (cuvée réservée) of the same vintage that I bought en primeur at the same time; at the moment my vote would go to the Pegaü, but things might change over time. Maybe give it some air the next time, although this is against my principles for G-dominated wines. There is no doubt that this is a very good wine.
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A stunning CdP. 100% Grenache, 100% whole bunch grapes. After 3 hours this wine really came alive. Black Cherry, red fruit, licorice, leather, pepper, and taste of the earth. Super long finish. 15% abv. So glad to have a 2nd bottle.
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After opening a bad bottle last night I couldn’t stand it and had to open another bottle this evening....SUCCESS.....NO browning just a beautiful Deep ruby red... Nose is licorice, deep cherry, light herbal... Flavor is deep raspberry, cocoa powder, cherry, with still firming tannins...excellent CDP...Serious complexity...
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Again it’s approaching a stewed fruit profile...has to be nearing past prime...lot of bottle variability from my previous notes... Nose is stewed..upfront taste is stewed but on the swallow the glorious fruit is able to rise above, revealing the former greatness... Not sure if it was improper early years storage as the last 2 has been in proper cellar..
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This bottle wasn't as mindblowing as the last, but still such a pleasure to drink. Stewed fruits, kirsch, a touch of green, sandalwood, this is full bodied and fantastic finish, this wine stains your teeth purple and I felt like I could still taste it the next morning. Still one of the best value wines out there IMO.
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Excellent! Deep burgundy/purple to a thin violet rim. Plum and black currant nose. Rich red and black fruit, plum, sweet cherry, dates. Stone and earth notes as the finish begins. Long and lingering finish.
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First glass was a PNP at cellar temp. Heavy funk masked a lot of the fruit. Over time it warmed up and got some air, the funk receeded and the fruit emerged. Dark fruit and earth, with plenty of Pegau-like funk. Great with blue cheese. Recommend air and food. Other bottles have been better (96 and 95 points) but this was still enjoyable.
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Cellared since release, perfect cork and fill. Like the last bottle. Deep purple to rim. Rich, ripe, full-bodied but not too sweet like the 2007, good balance, long finish. Excellent.
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Plum, figs, kirsch, wild herbs, medium to full-bodied, long finish without any heat. Great showing, much better than a tired bottle in May. Some more years left.
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This was very drinkable immediately after decanting for fairly heavy sediment. Smooth with young red fruit with fine tannins and spice on the finish. After 90 minutes in the decanter, the fruit deepened and the spices on a long finish became more enjoyable.
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Fragrant and fruity in the nose, berries, cherries, mints, rosemaries, and lavenders; fruity, rich, and full-bodied on the palate, with layers of berries, cherries, figs, mints, mushrooms, and wood spices; very long finish; overall, 94-95 points at this stage; very delicious and enjoyable yet still somewhat closed in the nose and tight on the palate; a few more years to evolve further towards full maturity.
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Ripe plum and figs, some chocolate, slight notes of oxidation, marked acidity, long finish. Good, but not up to my expectations. I doubt that this is for the long haul, unfortunately.
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Cellared since release, perfect cork and fill. Deep purple to rim. Rich, ripe, full-bodied but not too sweet like the 2007, good balance, long finish. Excellent.
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A wonderful CdP. Cherries, raspberries, and blackberries, a touch of earth, and enough tannins and acid to stand up well to food. An aroma of red and black fruits hints at the flavors. Aging very well, and I'll enjoy the rest of my bottles over the next 5-10 years if I can hold off that long.
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The 2010 Usseglio has everything I associate with CdP from distinct dark fruits to a variety of fragrant spices and well balanced tannins. The wine was opened about 2 hours before we drank it with a hearty Italian meal that the wine easily overpowered and became the focal point of discussion during the meal. I hesitate to give any wine a 100 point score, but this is that good.
Enjoyed with main course of dinner. Cigar box and ash with aged black cherry profile. Enters with a slight mint character. Ample weight as well. Complex as can be. Middle shows plum, figs, dates. Finished more round and supple. Tannins are rather soft at this point but I think this could go another 7 to 10 years or so.
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P&P - and full disclosure, I had quite a bit of pre dinner festivities so not in the best frame of mind for a detailing the wine. That said, this was big, complex, and well enjoyed at theTornardo Steakhouse in Madison WI.
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Tonight.....buzzkill....this bottle is stewed fruit.....it’s lively fruit is dulled and buried behind a cooked stewed flavor..then gripping tannins take over and dry the mouth with a decent raspberry choc profile.. Have to think this bottle is off....others were great
(Didn’t decant first..pnp...maybe that’s the difference?)
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Tonight it is just plain deliciousness...Sous vide duck breast crisped With port orange reduction... slow roasted duck fat potatoes and celery root apple purée So with that as a backdrop....wine is a burst of blue/black fruit With the acidity and minerality and complexity of stone and fruit and terroir that is just exquisite!! What a dinner, what a wine!,
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I love it. Dark purple and full bodied, It has a wonderful bouquet of flowers, dark and red fruits on the nose. It fills the mouth with incredible flavors of dark fruit, chocolate and so many other amazing flavors, and it goes on forever. Simply wonderful.
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Whatever elusive smell I noted before has left(at least on this bottle) And what a great drinking experience it is.... all the fruit and all the flavor melded with the minerality and slight earth components... Raspberry dominates but gives way to greater complexity than one would expect...LOVE this wine....
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(Decanted for two hours.) I have had this wine a dozen times and always been awestruck. Its color is black cherry with a nearly opaque purple core. The nose is effusive and almost alive with cherry, raspberry, lavender, rosemary, and freshly turned soil. In the mouth, the wine is full bodied with lush flavors of ripe black plums, fennel, stones, rosemary, cèpes and meat juices. These flavors are powerful, fleshy and layered, and the finish is long and expansive. Delicious. The tannins are ripe, firm and reassuring. And the overall balance is perfect. Tonight this wine is doing everything right and I want to drink the whole bottle.
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Good CDP with lots of precision and intense sweet alluring fruit as the two highlights. On the negative side is the rather high alcohol (15%+). Especially drinking it side by side with the Cos d‘Estournel 2003 (at 13.5%) the excess alcohol impaired an otherwise great drinking experience a little bit. Given its slightly porty soul, it might not come as a surprise that the wine had its best moments (97+ points) together with a Camembert cheese.
TN: High aroma intensity on the nose and palate with ripe (not overripe) sweet strawberry, strawberry candy, bright red cherries, cola, mint, lavender, herbs provencal. Felt more complex on the nose than on the palate where the sweet fruit core was quite intense pushing the other components to the back. While the fruit is intoxicating a more balanced aroma profile will certainly develop with more bottle age. Long sweet finish. Beside the too high alcohol (better drink it a bit more chill than you usually would) the balance and structure are impeccable with very smooth, resolved tannins and a cool, fresh, well-integrated acidity.
Decanting: PnPed. Needed just a few minutes to open up but got better with time in the decanter. I would advise decant it for 90 minutes to 2 hours.
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Decanted just before pouring the first glass. Medium+ intensity nose with a red berry, candy like fruit and needle pinch of menthol. Initially a bit overboarding acidity but very soft tannins and a medium length finish. Gains more and more in intentensity over time with a fine unisex perfume that makes you doubt your life choices regarding sexual orientation for a second. Good balance and round overall coming across super youthful. The only small negative is the high level of alcohol that was a bit disturbing, hence my recommandation to drink it 1-2 degrees cooler than you would red wine. By the way: It went surprisingly well with a Swiss camembert cheese!
Even more open than my last bottle, this seems to be close to peak (if you like some structure and acidity left in your CdP. Explosive notes of black cherries, blackberries, blueberries, kirsch, pepper, leather, crushed flowers, crushed stone minerality, also some olives, roasted meat... Superb aromatic complexity. It‘s full-bodied, dense and powerful, but has beautiful balance with medium+ acidity and medium+ tannin that is excellent quality but still present. Superb length. An incredibly impressive CdP that combines richness and depth with excellent energy. Love it!
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Fat, sassy, massive and mouth-coating, this pure Grenache elixir is still youthfully exuberant and while very inviting, it begs for more time. Animal, berries, dirt, flowers... the whole farm is in there. Highly recommended, but it's not completely integrated yet; sit on it for at least a few more years, or a decade.
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(Opened for one hour but not decanted.) This wine is wonderful and one of my favorites from this celebrated vintage. It has a mesmerizing black cherry color and an explosive nose of ripe fruit, summer herbs, lavender, earth and just a suggestion of funk. In the mouth it is lusciously deep and rich with sweet black fruit, licorice and meat flavors. These primary flavors are supported by rosemary, thyme, mushroom and coal tar undercurrents. To keep this big wine from going over the top there is also a welcomed vein of lean, refined acidity. And the whole thing is wrapped in ripe tannins that melt away in the long, long finish. In sum, a near perfect wine that deserves a near perfect score. 99+ points, for now.
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Dark garnet color in the glass, fairly clear looking. Nose is a bit muted giving way to aromas of berries and tobacco. Flavors of cherries, berries and pepper. Medium to bright acidity, firm tannin, full bodied. Drink now with air or continue to hold.
My guess was this is a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, perhaps the 2010 Shafer. Man, talk about missing the barn during target practice.
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My second bottle and both have been fantastic. Blackberries, raspberries, and cherries mix with just the right amount of barnyard to create a fantastic CdP. Less funk than a Pegau but still enough to satisfy those looking for an earthy wine. Looking forward to seeing how this ages and comparing it to the 2015 in a few years.
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A crowd pleaser at a party last night, this wine is so fresh and expressive of dark fruits, some garrigue, and a pleasant earthy tone that balances out all of that Grenache fruit. This has to be one of the better wines under $100 on the market.
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On the nose is a predominate smell I can't quite describe... Prune, garrigue, not quite barnyard?... I just don't know... Carries through to the tongue then deep blue/black fruit takeover with A brilliant combo of spice graphite garrigue sweet tannin but nice acidity that wraps the loooooong finish... Truly memorable...delicious?...not sure yet...luckily I have 8 moe bottles to draw a conclusion with...for now 93
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Similar note to my last one. So perfumed and pretty with notes of blackberries, cassis, pepper, leather, smoke, dark stony minerality, dark notes if coffee, sweet spices and minerals again. Full bodied, dense and powerful, but with amazing freshness and medium-high acidity and medium-high tannin that is excellent quality. Excellent length. Year after year one of the very best CdP I know. Just so beautiful, perfect balance between richness and freshness.
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Whuha... dicht, dicht, dicht schon in der Nase. Süsslich schwarz, Honig, Dörrfrüchte. Am Gaumen bombig/rund... Crazy dicht. Fest und dicht gepacktes Paket. Aber nicht überextrahiert, nicht bitter. Kirscharomen, Himbeeren und Honig. Wirklich gross und sehr geil. Hat Luft nach oben...
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Very dark and rich yet not sugary or too ripe. Loads of Cassis and blackberry matched with stunning graphite and stone notes toward finish. This is a clear crowd pleaser but will hit the spot with the elites as well. You could consider this a baby Capo with even more dark fruit notes.
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Decanted and drank over 2 hours. Excellent concentration of kirsch, black cherry and hints of garrique and minerality. Balanced.... without being overdone. Bravo! Drink now or over 7-10 yrs.
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Drank Father's Day with 2+ inch prime aged porterhouse. Really good stuff. Nice flavors, balance and structure. Went great alone and with the steak (although to be honest, the steak was the star). But drink anytime and enjoy.
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15%, very alcoholic. Grenache 100%. Deep garnet/ruby. After some decanting alcohol feels slightly less, more fruit comes through, sweet, fragrant, with a very little hint of flower. Definitely needs an hour's decanting. Good but too hot.
Deep dark ruby/purple color. Explosive notes of blackberries, kirsch, black currant, garrigue, crushed rocks, pepper, dark chocolate, savory herbs, but also some crushed flowers and raw beef. It's full-bodied, dense but without any heaviness, has amazing depth and medium-high tannin that is super ripe as well as (very rare) medium-high acidity. Fantastic length. A super impressive CdP from tiny yields that it both full-throttle, intense but also incredibly fresh, elegant and not overly sweet (as they sometimes are). Love it! (97+)
Amazing depth an concentration but everything in the right place. Notes of garrigue, black raspberry, earth and smoke, Medium to full bodied in the mouth, nice long finish. Very rich with a nice peppery note on the finish. Spectacular wine!
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Dunkles Rot mit lila Dunkel,Brombeeren,Kirschen verschieden intensiv,BitterSchokolade,würzig, Lakritze. Intensiver,konzentriert,saftig,gute Säure ,voller Körper,prägender,momentan alkoholischer. Langer dunkelfruchtig,prägender Abgang. Fraglos ein riesiges Potential,war aber 2013 um einiges zugänglicher,balancierter. Würde ich momentan nicht mehr öffnen und besser ein paar Jahre liegen lassen.
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Note after 24 hours - no preservation. Raspberries and plums on the nose. Similar on the palate. Modern styled CDP. Will be interesting to see how this ages.
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Opaque core with thin dark maroon rim; a bit shy and kind of brutish on the nose initially, air really opened this up beautifully, floral, violets, dark raspberry, sweet but serious, garrigue, smoldering wood; dark berry, almost black currant, black raspberry, great mid palate, iron fist in velvet glove, fruit and glycerin hides the deep structure of the wine a bit, sweet fruit and floral finish, lots of nobility; very good; needs time but should be great in 8 years; like this better than the last time.
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Popped and poured by a neighbor for an early spring barbeque. The results were little different from my January review: tightening a bit but still marvelously good. And if memory serves, it is better than the more flamboyant 2007. 98 points.
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Tuesday Night Double Blind $50+ (Bin 75): Very dark core with plum rim, some sediment; meaty, dark raspberry, black pepper, garrigue, big, cement, violets; solid palate, meaty and rich, deep raspberry, dark fruit, black currant, fresh finish, higher alcohol on finish; 92+.
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(Decanted for one and one-half hours.) Like the 2010 Clos des Papes, this amazing wine appears to be shutting down. Gorgeously deep ruby and dark violet in color, the vibrant aromas that screamed Grenache are retreating into a shell. On the palate, the flavors of dark fruits, flowers, anise and earth are still there but more subdued. A great deal of swirling and aerating is necessary to bring everything up to snuff. Nevertheless there was not an empty glass to be found among the tasters. And there is no need to worry: a few years in the bottle will certainly return this delicious wine to greatness, though in a more mature and complex form. Perhaps four to six years?
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Nice nose of ripe black fruit, licorice, roasted meat, sandalwood... Loads of silky tannins, crispy acidity combines with loads of black cherries, 20 seconds finish... Painfully closed at this point, will deserve a better note when opening up 94+/100
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Blind tasted. Moderate nose shows red cherry, mushroom, baking spice, game, purple flowers. Moderate plus alcohol (actually high) and acidity, moderate tannins. The alcohol sent us to New World, I said Cabernet but didn't feel right.
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Very good CD9 2010. Deep red color and strong bouquet full of red berries fragrance, The wine is ready to drink, full depth wine round and strong taste: earth, liquorice, tar, cigar, red berries, cherries...and a certain mild sweetness. Complex and bold, a perfect choice on its own or with food. Perfect for asian inspired food.
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Brilliant showing, ready to drink. Heavy perfumed, floral & feminine nose and palate. Not a very typical 2010 vintage wine, rather a 2009 (which explains the similarity to the 2009 Chaupin, however, this wine is better supporting food than the Chaupin). This wine impressed the table.
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Once again, one of the superstars of this celebrated vintage. This tasting experience is in line with my first two. An utterly profound wine in every way: very dark color, very complex nose, and very rich flavors. Stunningly complete and balanced. I really must develop the discipline to leave these babies alone—or buy more! 98+ points.
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It has been more than a year since I last tasted this wine. Have been busy drinking mature Bordeaux and young Burgs. My palate has been conditioned differently for a while now. Beautiful nose, more forward than previous bottle. Notes of licorice, plum, dark chocolate and oak. Smooth tannins but with heat at finish, massive amount of alcohol, maybe in the range of 16% to 17%. Pretty good except for the alcohol level. These CDPs are not for everyone, don't buy them if you can't stand the alcohol level. As one get older, it's harder and harder to enjoy these wines. 93 pts.
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The middle palate will literally cause a deluge of berry, spice and game, then holistically infuse with every millimeter of your palate. Ultimately this is majestic and intriguing, in that she only reveals so much, then causes a knee-jerking reaction to acknowledge all things sublime. Very long; there's a dark and red berry cornucopia that leads to Chicken Marsala, white pepper, lilies, baked lime, granite and Hoisin Sauce. Decanted for three hours and what a stunning achievement in the world of Grenache. She is designed to study for longer than a score. I love this more than the illustrious '07 (96 points). Drink 2016 -.
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Three wines from Pierre Usseglio, 2011/2010 (Grappe, Stockholm): Nose with ripe cherries and dark berries, some balsamico notes, rather pronounced flowery notes with violets, spices and some dried herbs, some mineral. Medium bodied+, palate with ripe dark cherries and other berries, quite concentrated, some sweetness of fruit, mineral, and noticeable medium+ tannins. The aftertaste shows ripe dark berries and some tannin. Young, should be allowed some years in the cellar (drinking window 2015-2020+), 92+ p. This wine shows considerably darker fruit notes and is more concentrated than the regular 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which makes it bigger and in more need of cellaring. The concentration means that this wine hides its alcohol well. The mineral notes are there, but are more in the background than in the regular cuvée, which means that this wine builds its elegance a bit more on the flowery notes. It does not have noticeable oak notes or excessive sweetness.
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A dark and rich color. The bowl of the glass is perfumed by flowers, dark fruit compote, and an herb garden. (Hey, where is the funk?) Still sexy and round in the mouth with deep flavors of stewed fruits (plums and berries), mocha, earth, anise and smoke. Sweet, sweet tannins dance on the long finish. Very big yet very suave. I must leave the rest alone to improve--if that is possible! 98 points.
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Opening this wine I immediately thought, that it will be a tough job to distinguish this one in a blind test to the Janasse CdP Chaupin. It is made in the same style (only a bit of oak) with mainly Grenache.
It is a sirup of cherry, overwhelming me with an intoxicating nose right from the start. But in addition it has enough body to be served as a dinner wine. Something I would probably not do with the 2009 Chaupin (the Chaupin IS the dinner :-)).
I rated this only a 94 which is below my Chaupin rating as there is a slight unbalance in the palate. Nevertheless its a georgeous high end wine ready to be enjoyed right now (bought for 75€ beginning of 2013).
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95-97(+?);-) Dunkles Rot mit schwarzem Kern. Schwarze Kirschen,schwarzbeerig,Süssholz, Lakritze. Vollmundig,fleischig,extremer Schmelz,unheimlich seidene,tiefe Struktur. Leder auch florales und eine Pfefferminzfrische. Unheimlich energetisch,absolut in Balance. Langer schwarzfruchtiger Abgang. Kann schwer die Finger davon lassen. Absolut eigenständiger Klassewein,wenn man es ein klein bisschen praller mag. Für mich Widerstand zwecklos. bad english; dark red with black heart. black cherries,black berries,licorice. mouthfilling,meaty,melting,silky, deep structure. leather,lightly floral and a peppermint freshness. energetic,rich and in balance. long black fruit aftertaste. absolutely oustanding wine with own character(intensely,sappy). glass is always empty. (picture is on(blog) winelegends.net)
This wine is a hedonist’s delight! Dark, dark ruby in color. The nose is so expressive of origin: you can smell the Rhone valley in the flowers, plums, coffee, garrique and touch of brett. And the wine is so freaking sexy in the mouth. It is round, rich, smooth and silky. (Frankly, it goes down so easily that you might drink too much of it!) Is this wine traditional to type? No. Is it nevertheless good? Yes, and it will get even better with a few years in bottle. It is one of my new favorite 2010 CDPs.
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You can see the level of concentration of fruit in the deep color, and sense it on the palate with the decadent levels of sublime pure, ripe, fresh berries, silky tannins and in the long, rich finish. Usseglio has been on fire since 1998! This is a beautiful style and expression of Grenache with a track record for aging.
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So young but so good. First quality 2010 CDP I've opened, and it definitely validated the hype. Delicious balance - a little brett on the nose, but not in the mouth, great fruit, gorgeous structure. Decanted 4 hours in the morning, then drunk over 2 hours. Will keep the rest for a few years if I can keep my hands off them.
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Blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah. Good nose. Floral and forward but probably not as clean as Janasse Chaupin 2010. Notes of dark cherry, licorice, flowers, and liqueur. Rich and full-bodied, this is much bigger than Mon Aieul 2009. Multi-layered and long finish with noticeable tannins at the end, not as approachable as Mon Aieul 2009. Better to lay this off for a few years. Comparatively, 2009 vintage has sweeter tannins but short finish, this is a better wine overall. Label indicated 15% but I think it's more than that with slight heat at finish. Fresh level of acidity, higher than 2009 vintage. Showing better on 2nd day, slightly sour tannins similar to St Julien wines. Still plenty of fruits and tannins. Good balance on 3rd day, most tannins are resolved with dark chocolate and toasty oak (really? with only 20% in demi-muid) aftertaste, interesting. Sweet tannins with slightly dry mid-palate, this wine really behaves very differently and continues to improve over the 3 days. Upgrade the score. 94-96 pts.
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Wow wow, powerful nose of ripe strawberries, roasted meat, oriental spices, leather, bacon fat... a nose to die for... in the mouth, very feminine, light at start and builds up with ripe sweet fruit, refreshing acidity, even salinity that makes you want more.. a beauty of a wine!!
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The aroma is rich in fruits, almost candy-like. The taste is silky with cherry, licorice and a hint of alcohol. In a few years it will be certainly great more than it already is now
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What's this dark ruby essence being poured in my glass?! Oh Me! This curious stuff, delineated by a velvety, tannic structure, is gorgeous. It's full, awesome. A rainbow of raw and cooked berries builds the insanely complex and minute-long final. Looking for a modernly made traditional Chateauneuf du Pape able to reach perfection in a few years? Here it is. (99-100)
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Powerfull nose of ripe red cherries, meaty, gamey, spice nose garrigue... in the mouth, very mineral, fresh, spicy, black fruit, nice acidity, very long aftertaste... this wine is very elegant, never overpowering, but has an extra long fruity finish which makes a great wines
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From 100% Grenache, made from insanely low yields of 16 hecoliters per hectare, the wine reached 16.5% alcohol. Yet there is no touch of heat in the concentrated, deep, lush, ripe, licorice, black cherry liqueur and floral wine. I love this stylish wine. Mon Aieul is one of the most consistent producers of Chateauneuf du Pape.
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taste: full bodied with very chewy tannins and lower acidity. Very plush on the feel behind the tannins with great depth and extracted tones of black fruits, red fruits, spices and liqueur tones
overall: great depth and insanely young. The tannins certainly show the youth, but the fruit of the wine is very desirable right now for those that want it
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Tasted at domaine. Wow. 95% grenache and 5% syrah. Huge fruit. Jam, velvet, depth, soft tannins. Beautiful balance...Long. Will develop with time into a great wine imo.
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4/4/2024 - tantotinto wrote: 94 Points
Tasted initially after an hour in a decanter. Smooth, savory and juicy. Full flavored but not big, Blackberry, blueberry and spice. More mellow and elegant than I expected. A touch of sweet and licorice. A very satisfying wine.
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4/2/2024 - NBouras915 Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Last 2 bottles were pruny. I won't try this guy again
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4/1/2024 - VlgJeff Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted for one hour with lots of sediment -- standing the bottle upright two days before opening helped. The wine continued to open during the meal. A dark red color to the rim. Plenty of dark fruit (black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, currant), spice, and even a touch of black licorice on the medium plus bodied palate. No hints of cooked fruit or the 14.5% abv. Crisp and balancing acidity with well-integrated tannins. Hard to believe that this bruiser of a wine is 100% Grenache! Should continue to hold and delight for several years.
On a personal note: This is my 2,500th Tasting Note for CellarTracker and I want to express my gratitude to all those CT members who take the time to write "full" tasting notes as they are helpful to those of us wondering when to pull the cork and whether to decant or slo-ox the wine for maximum enjoyment, not to mention what we might expect as we drink. Thank you.
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3/4/2024 - Eudemis Does not like this wine:
14.5% alcohol. Pure Grenache according to the domaine's website. Dark colour all the way to the rim.
The nose is rich, but all the fruit is cooked, and there are even definite notes of Port (this is without decanting of course). The mouth is powerful, largely carried by the alcohol (which might well exceed the stated percentage); the cooked aspect of the fruit is more acceptable than on the nose, but the wine lacks elegance and balance. There is a definite sweet note in the finish.
I have gone off this style of wine completely, and I would rank this bottle several notches below l'Or de Line 2018 which is the last CndP that I had.
Not a repeat purchase. Whatever critic influenced me to purchase this wine at release was hopelessly misguided, and I was silly to follow his advice.
PS: looking back at my previous note from three years ago, I see that I was more positive at the time. Either the evolution of the wine has been unfavourable, or the two bottles showed variation, or my tastes have changed (unlikely to that extent, as I have never liked Port notes in my unfortified wines).
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2/28/2024 - galewskj wrote: 91 Points
Any Rhone (A Side Public House): A lot of dried fruit, some tobacco, quite big.
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2/25/2024 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
Monthly Tasting Group: All the Rhones (A - Side Public House, St. Paul, MN): Very dark red color. Small glass over an hour plus. This kind of took awhile to come around. I was disappointed at first. Though every time I went back to it, it seemed to be a bit better. By an hour, I thought this was in a pretty good spot. Red fruit on the nose, shellac, dense and full boded, youthful for its age, dark fruit palate, more earth and leather notes come and a deeper sense of damp earth over time. I think this will improve further. 91+ to 92(+)pts.
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1/22/2024 - goodvitis.com Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drank with friends, no formal notes. Tertiary qualities are there. Kicked a moderate amount of sediment after two hours in a decanter. Nice black fruit, chocolate, and pipe tobacco notes. I would drink this up in the next 2-3 years.
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12/24/2023 - NCWW Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nothing formal. But really good altogether. Still some bite, so will keep the last a few more years
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11/2/2023 - bonedoc wrote: 95 Points
Ripe, dark plums, chocolate… this is the hedonistic style of CDP… and it’s good when you want it!
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10/12/2023 - Wine Sparty wrote: 93 Points
First of 3 bottles. Delicious, but still very primary with the flavors. I think I'll hold off on my next bottle for a few years.
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8/25/2023 - mclanew wrote: 93 Points
Popped and poured. This could have used a pretty good decant. Full bodied. Black currant, roast meats, earth, wood spice come through. This is quite chewy and tannic still but shows good depth and complexity. I’d let these snooze for another 5-10 years.
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3/10/2023 - IvanLi wrote: flawed
I wanted to compare it side by side to a 2012 Saxum James Berry, but unfortunately this particular bottle is totally premoxed/tertiary dominated. Tons of sediment, pruny, notes of figs, raisins, sultanas. Sweetish and flabby on the palate. Based on the other tasting notes , I believe this is a problem with this particular bottle. Unfortunately, I have no other bottles to double check.
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3/4/2023 - NostraBacchus Likes this wine: 96 Points
I haven‘t checked in on this in a few years. This bottle was showing really nicely, Open and radiant, showing notes of kirsch, black and red cherries, some more darker berries too, leather, pepper, sweet spices, some herbal notes too, roasted bone marrow. Its‘ full-bodied and full-throttle, with medium acidity adding nice balance of freshness, some medium- tannin that has melted away considerably, but still adds a little grip to the bigger frame. Pretty long finish. An excellent, complex and full-bodied CdP. Stylistically probably not for everyone, but it has aged beautifully. I still have 5 more bottle that I will drink soon. Peak.
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2/2/2023 - Ryan@Rhone wrote: 95 Points
PnP. Expressive nose red fruit. On the palate full bodied and a delicious syrupy texture. Silky fine tannins. Long finish yes with some heat but I don’t mind. Decent amount of powdered sediment. To me this is fantastic now. Doubt I will wait long on the other bottle I have.
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11/24/2022 - indiscriminate palate wrote:
Dark ruby. Deeply perfumed nose of red and black fruit and spice. Full bodied, rich, with nice structure that is quite approachable now though still young and primary (especially in magnum). Lovely, promising wine.
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11/13/2022 - kr522 wrote: 94 Points
From magnum, no issue with alcoholic heat that others have mentioned. It is a rich, spicy CdP, this vintage is preferable to me over 09s and 07s
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9/2/2022 - mclanew wrote: 91 Points
Still struggling with this wine. No where near the points it has from critics. Very big, lots of hypothetical potential but their is noticeable heat here on the finish and it’s a bit too much of everything. Wait and see.
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8/20/2022 - JimSlatin Likes this wine: 89 Points
Opened this wine and for the first hour with was very fruit driven ; highly extracted-almost had a port like characteristic; Plus it had a little heat; after it opened up over the next 2 hours it softened and became more integrated. I think this wine will improve with more years in the bottle and the score would improve
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7/31/2022 - mclanew wrote: 91 Points
Second bottle of the in the last couple weeks. More or less same result. Attractive nose of blackberries, game and spice. The wine itself open pretty well with deep blackberry, blueberry, herbs, smoke but finishes hot. Again this may need time to settle down but at the moment it’s no where near the wine the critics had claimed it would be.
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7/29/2022 - Mdubnik Likes this wine: 94 Points
Really, really good. In a good place. Drank well over four hours. Never lost a step. First drink was phenomenal, from PnP. I would give it a few more years before I would drink it again.
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7/17/2022 - mclanew wrote: 92 Points
Decanted two hours. Boysenberry and game on the nose. The wine is full bodied, very pure, blackberry, herbs, game and lots of spice. There is heat on the finish. This either mellows out and gets better or gets pruny. Time will tell.
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6/4/2022 - Radboy wrote: 95 Points
Terrific wine. Old world notes throughout with a polished finish. Best with atleast an hour decant.
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5/16/2022 - pdemaio wrote:
Fraud
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4/8/2022 - hkbob Likes this wine: 96 Points
Even better than the bottle enjoyed on 28 Dec 2021. A bit more of everything and adding in a gamey component to the fragrance profile. Wonderful when paired with aged hard cheese and a stilton. Great length on the finish. I suspect this may develop further with a few more years of cellaring - although I have found that drinking CdP's on their ascendency is the way to go to avoid disappointment from them taking on too many pruny notes/brettiness.
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3/31/2022 - ChrisR Likes this wine:
Dark berries, lavender, garrigue, charcoal and quite a bit of spiciness. There is considerable depth and structure. Like so many 2010 CNdPs, the tannins are dominant, even after a decade. This lacked the sweetness, the hint of brown sugar, I find in most Mon Aieuls; instead, there is a marked bitterness. A serious, brooding wine, impressive certainly, but it lacks the joy and playfulness I love in the Mon Aieul cuvee.
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3/24/2022 - tedcholl Likes this wine: 93 Points
Last had this CdP a year ago. Needed 3 hours to open up. A very unusual CdP. 100% Grenache. Lots of bramble, funk, dried cherry, licorice, pepper, leather, tobacco, blackberry, mushroom. Long finish.. Color showing age, maybe 3-5 more of prime drinking window.
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1/23/2022 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Monthly Tasting Group: Northern Rhone and a Couple CdP's (A - Side Public House, St. Paul, MN): Dark red color. PNP, drank a small glass over an hour. Really nice, cherry, underbrush, garrigue, and perfume on the nose. The palate is medium full bodied, polished tannins, cassis, funk, gravel and mineral notes, graphite, garrigue and spice. Loved it and it just kept getting better. Glad to have some. 93(+)pts.
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12/29/2021 - levinml Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drank Christmas night with Beef Wellington. Excellent match, although the Wellington stood out more than the wine. Nice overall balance and flavors, complemented by the mushrooms. Drink anytime.
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12/28/2021 - hkbob Likes this wine: 95 Points
This was an excellent bottle with such a fragrant nose of mostly red berries, incense, summer flowers and Mediterranean herbs. The palate followed suit with striking inner mouth perfume and a long energetic finish. I only wish I had decanted a bit longer as the flavour intensity and delineation really improved after a couple of hours just as the last drops were being poured. In a great place now but with a decade of runway ahead for well-stored bottles.
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12/28/2021 - SkeBum wrote: 89 Points
Dark red, with no bricking on the edges. Palate is balanced. Very much a food wine. Confused over the high ratings of this wine. This is good wine, not a 95 point wine in my book. Professionally stored and bought on release.
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11/4/2021 - skifree wrote: 93 Points
Fantastic bottle, had so much beautiful, bright red fruit, with this distinct cinnamon note right afterwards. Unique and compelling from the first sip.
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7/18/2021 - KJD45$ Likes this wine: 92 Points
Last bottle and I am so happy it’s a good one... so much variability with this case...all stored in EuroCave but some were good some stewed...
Tonight it’s a vibrant red purple color...
Nose is plum, some spice but overall a bit reticent..
Taste is plum, definite spice, then a drying tannic finish merging with the fruit and the alcohol presence comes forward..
It’s definitely at or slightly past peak as I feel the fruit is starting to drop
and letting the tannin alcohol start to take over
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7/6/2021 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted briefly. This is showing beautifully with great balance on the palate of red and black fruit, mature tannins, light acid, aromatic spice, and black pepper.
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6/6/2021 - Eudemis Likes this wine:
14.5% alcohol. G 100% according to the property's website, although the back label mentions some S, Mrvdr and Cnslt. The cork is reasonably long, but above all it is of excellent quality, and it shows no wine penetration. Darkish colour with little sign of ageing.
The nose is rather mute at first, but it opens up over time with macerated wild berries. The mouth is much more vivid with vg acidity and good length, although the alcohol does stick out a little too much. I don't know what causes the tingly sensation in the mouth, but it is not an unpleasant effect, and it livens up the experience (maybe a touch of VA?). There is a sweet-but-not-sugary component to this wine which actually adds to the overall perception. Very good length, and there is even some grip in extremis...
Interesting to compare this bottle with the Pegaü (cuvée réservée) of the same vintage that I bought en primeur at the same time; at the moment my vote would go to the Pegaü, but things might change over time.
Maybe give it some air the next time, although this is against my principles for G-dominated wines.
There is no doubt that this is a very good wine.
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4/16/2021 - tedcholl Likes this wine: 94 Points
A stunning CdP. 100% Grenache, 100% whole bunch grapes. After 3 hours this wine really came alive. Black Cherry, red fruit, licorice, leather, pepper, and taste of the earth. Super long finish. 15% abv. So glad to have a 2nd bottle.
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2/21/2021 - KJD45$ wrote: 93 Points
After opening a bad bottle last night I couldn’t stand it and had to open another bottle this evening....SUCCESS.....NO browning just a beautiful
Deep ruby red...
Nose is licorice, deep cherry, light herbal...
Flavor is deep raspberry, cocoa powder, cherry, with still firming tannins...excellent CDP...Serious complexity...
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2/20/2021 - KJD45$ Likes this wine: 90 Points
Again it’s approaching a stewed fruit profile...has to be nearing past prime...lot of bottle variability from my previous notes...
Nose is stewed..upfront taste is stewed but on the swallow the glorious fruit is able to rise above, revealing the former greatness...
Not sure if it was improper early years storage as the last 2 has been in proper cellar..
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2/14/2021 - rashcar Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great wine and very good QPR Nose. Earth and floral nose. Great taste and solid finish. Decanted one hour and drank slowly.
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2/5/2021 - Plabella wrote:
BD Harriet
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1/11/2021 - D'Yquembe Mutumbo wrote: 95 Points
This bottle wasn't as mindblowing as the last, but still such a pleasure to drink. Stewed fruits, kirsch, a touch of green, sandalwood, this is full bodied and fantastic finish, this wine stains your teeth purple and I felt like I could still taste it the next morning. Still one of the best value wines out there IMO.
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1/9/2021 - Grenik wrote: 94 Points
Excellent! Deep burgundy/purple to a thin violet rim. Plum and black currant nose. Rich red and black fruit, plum, sweet cherry, dates. Stone and earth notes as the finish begins. Long and lingering finish.
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12/27/2020 - Crunge Likes this wine: 93 Points
First glass was a PNP at cellar temp. Heavy funk masked a lot of the fruit. Over time it warmed up and got some air, the funk receeded and the fruit emerged. Dark fruit and earth, with plenty of Pegau-like funk. Great with blue cheese. Recommend air and food. Other bottles have been better (96 and 95 points) but this was still enjoyable.
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12/15/2020 - dbg wrote:
Cellared since release, perfect cork and fill. Like the last bottle. Deep purple to rim. Rich, ripe, full-bodied but not too sweet like the 2007, good balance, long finish. Excellent.
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11/14/2020 - Lagrange68 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Plum, figs, kirsch, wild herbs, medium to full-bodied, long finish without any heat. Great showing, much better than a tired bottle in May. Some more years left.
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9/19/2020 - PSUSteve Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was very drinkable immediately after decanting for fairly heavy sediment. Smooth with young red fruit with fine tannins and spice on the finish. After 90 minutes in the decanter, the fruit deepened and the spices on a long finish became more enjoyable.
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5/20/2020 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:
Dinner with Doug and Donna. Wonderful bottle, wonderful company.
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5/2/2020 - CWang wrote: 94 Points
Fragrant and fruity in the nose, berries, cherries, mints, rosemaries, and lavenders; fruity, rich, and full-bodied on the palate, with layers of berries, cherries, figs, mints, mushrooms, and wood spices; very long finish; overall, 94-95 points at this stage; very delicious and enjoyable yet still somewhat closed in the nose and tight on the palate; a few more years to evolve further towards full maturity.
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5/1/2020 - Lagrange68 wrote: 90 Points
Ripe plum and figs, some chocolate, slight notes of oxidation, marked acidity, long finish. Good, but not up to my expectations. I doubt that this is for the long haul, unfortunately.
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3/16/2020 - dbg wrote:
Cellared since release, perfect cork and fill. Deep purple to rim. Rich, ripe, full-bodied but not too sweet like the 2007, good balance, long finish. Excellent.
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3/15/2020 - Crunge Likes this wine: 95 Points
A wonderful CdP. Cherries, raspberries, and blackberries, a touch of earth, and enough tannins and acid to stand up well to food. An aroma of red and black fruits hints at the flavors. Aging very well, and I'll enjoy the rest of my bottles over the next 5-10 years if I can hold off that long.
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1/15/2020 - bonedoc wrote:
Have loved this wine in the past, but this was pruned, stewed fruit. Off bottle hopefully. 89
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11/29/2019 - KJD45$ Likes this wine: 95 Points
Just a gorgeous wine
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11/22/2019 - mattdathan Likes this wine: 96 Points
Holy cow - what a wonderful wine!
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8/18/2019 - Plabella wrote:
tres bonnee annee
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6/28/2019 - Steve Fishback wrote: 100 Points
The 2010 Usseglio has everything I associate with CdP from distinct dark fruits to a variety of fragrant spices and well balanced tannins. The wine was opened about 2 hours before we drank it with a hearty Italian meal that the wine easily overpowered and became the focal point of discussion during the meal. I hesitate to give any wine a 100 point score, but this is that good.
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3/29/2019 - mflesh wrote: 95 Points
Enjoyed with main course of dinner. Cigar box and ash with aged black cherry profile. Enters with a slight mint character. Ample weight as well. Complex as can be. Middle shows plum, figs, dates. Finished more round and supple. Tannins are rather soft at this point but I think this could go another 7 to 10 years or so.
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3/17/2019 - Dale M wrote: 94 Points
P&P - and full disclosure, I had quite a bit of pre dinner festivities so not in the best frame of mind for a detailing the wine. That said, this was big, complex, and well enjoyed at theTornardo Steakhouse in Madison WI.
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1/1/2019 - KJD45$ wrote:
Tonight.....buzzkill....this bottle is stewed fruit.....it’s lively fruit is dulled and buried behind a cooked stewed flavor..then gripping tannins take over and dry the mouth with a decent raspberry choc profile..
Have to think this bottle is off....others were great
(Didn’t decant first..pnp...maybe that’s the difference?)
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12/23/2018 - KJD45$ Likes this wine: 95 Points
Tonight it is just plain deliciousness...Sous vide duck breast crisped
With port orange reduction... slow roasted duck fat potatoes and
celery root apple purée
So with that as a backdrop....wine is a burst of blue/black fruit
With the acidity and minerality and complexity of stone and fruit and terroir that is just exquisite!!
What a dinner, what a wine!,
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11/25/2018 - Isalasdad Likes this wine: 96 Points
I love it. Dark purple and full bodied, It has a wonderful bouquet of flowers, dark and red fruits on the nose. It fills the mouth with incredible flavors of dark fruit, chocolate and so many other amazing flavors, and it goes on forever. Simply wonderful.
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11/12/2018 - joshabramson Likes this wine: 96 Points
Needs a bit of time to open up, but this is some excellent CdP!
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10/28/2018 - KJD45$ Likes this wine: 95 Points
Whatever elusive smell I noted before has left(at least on this bottle)
And what a great drinking experience it is.... all the fruit and all the flavor melded with the minerality and slight earth components...
Raspberry dominates but gives way to greater complexity than one would expect...LOVE this wine....
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9/27/2018 - Wine Fool Likes this wine: 100 Points
(Decanted for two hours.) I have had this wine a dozen times and always been awestruck. Its color is black cherry with a nearly opaque purple core. The nose is effusive and almost alive with cherry, raspberry, lavender, rosemary, and freshly turned soil. In the mouth, the wine is full bodied with lush flavors of ripe black plums, fennel, stones, rosemary, cèpes and meat juices. These flavors are powerful, fleshy and layered, and the finish is long and expansive. Delicious. The tannins are ripe, firm and reassuring. And the overall balance is perfect. Tonight this wine is doing everything right and I want to drink the whole bottle.
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9/19/2018 - Cailles wrote: 94 Points
Good CDP with lots of precision and intense sweet alluring fruit as the two highlights. On the negative side is the rather high alcohol (15%+). Especially drinking it side by side with the Cos d‘Estournel 2003 (at 13.5%) the excess alcohol impaired an otherwise great drinking experience a little bit. Given its slightly porty soul, it might not come as a surprise that the wine had its best moments (97+ points) together with a Camembert cheese.
TN: High aroma intensity on the nose and palate with ripe (not overripe) sweet strawberry, strawberry candy, bright red cherries, cola, mint, lavender, herbs provencal. Felt more complex on the nose than on the palate where the sweet fruit core was quite intense pushing the other components to the back. While the fruit is intoxicating a more balanced aroma profile will certainly develop with more bottle age. Long sweet finish. Beside the too high alcohol (better drink it a bit more chill than you usually would) the balance and structure are impeccable with very smooth, resolved tannins and a cool, fresh, well-integrated acidity.
Decanting: PnPed. Needed just a few minutes to open up but got better with time in the decanter. I would advise decant it for 90 minutes to 2 hours.
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9/18/2018 - sirpat00 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted just before pouring the first glass. Medium+ intensity nose with a red berry, candy like fruit and needle pinch of menthol. Initially a bit overboarding acidity but very soft tannins and a medium length finish. Gains more and more in intentensity over time with a fine unisex perfume that makes you doubt your life choices regarding sexual orientation for a second. Good balance and round overall coming across super youthful. The only small negative is the high level of alcohol that was a bit disturbing, hence my recommandation to drink it 1-2 degrees cooler than you would red wine. By the way: It went surprisingly well with a Swiss camembert cheese!
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9/1/2018 - NostraBacchus Likes this wine: 97 Points
Even more open than my last bottle, this seems to be close to peak (if you like some structure and acidity left in your CdP. Explosive notes of black cherries, blackberries, blueberries, kirsch, pepper, leather, crushed flowers, crushed stone minerality, also some olives, roasted meat... Superb aromatic complexity. It‘s full-bodied, dense and powerful, but has beautiful balance with medium+ acidity and medium+ tannin that is excellent quality but still present. Superb length. An incredibly impressive CdP that combines richness and depth with excellent energy. Love it!
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7/5/2018 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 96 Points
Exceptional wine. Right up there with the best ChnP I've had. Dark fruited with nice spice and soft lavender finish. Got better as the night went on.
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6/21/2018 - bonedoc wrote:
All 2010’s:
Mont olivet cuvée papet: dark espresso and coffee notes, heat, tannin - better on night two, incredible concentration of ripe fruit. 93-95
Usseglio mon aieiul: red and black cherry, smooth and silky, sweet, some minerality. 94-96
Pegau reservee: black cherry, pepper, garrique, earthy. 93-95.
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4/22/2018 - Decanting fool Likes this wine:
Fat, sassy, massive and mouth-coating, this pure Grenache elixir is still youthfully exuberant and while very inviting, it begs for more time. Animal, berries, dirt, flowers... the whole farm is in there. Highly recommended, but it's not completely integrated yet; sit on it for at least a few more years, or a decade.
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3/31/2018 - Wine Fool Likes this wine: 99 Points
(Opened for one hour but not decanted.) This wine is wonderful and one of my favorites from this celebrated vintage. It has a mesmerizing black cherry color and an explosive nose of ripe fruit, summer herbs, lavender, earth and just a suggestion of funk. In the mouth it is lusciously deep and rich with sweet black fruit, licorice and meat flavors. These primary flavors are supported by rosemary, thyme, mushroom and coal tar undercurrents. To keep this big wine from going over the top there is also a welcomed vein of lean, refined acidity. And the whole thing is wrapped in ripe tannins that melt away in the long, long finish. In sum, a near perfect wine that deserves a near perfect score. 99+ points, for now.
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2/23/2018 - wineismylife wrote:
WIMLNR
Tasted double blind.
Dark garnet color in the glass, fairly clear looking. Nose is a bit muted giving way to aromas of berries and tobacco. Flavors of cherries, berries and pepper. Medium to bright acidity, firm tannin, full bodied. Drink now with air or continue to hold.
My guess was this is a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, perhaps the 2010 Shafer. Man, talk about missing the barn during target practice.
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2/4/2018 - Crunge Likes this wine: 96 Points
My second bottle and both have been fantastic. Blackberries, raspberries, and cherries mix with just the right amount of barnyard to create a fantastic CdP. Less funk than a Pegau but still enough to satisfy those looking for an earthy wine. Looking forward to seeing how this ages and comparing it to the 2015 in a few years.
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1/27/2018 - D'Yquembe Mutumbo wrote: 97 Points
Again, stupendous. Will have to buy more bottles of this, it is outstanding, especially for under $100.
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1/1/2018 - the godfather wrote:
Big ok fruit bomb, young and promising
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11/5/2017 - D'Yquembe Mutumbo wrote: 97 Points
A crowd pleaser at a party last night, this wine is so fresh and expressive of dark fruits, some garrigue, and a pleasant earthy tone that balances out all of that Grenache fruit. This has to be one of the better wines under $100 on the market.
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10/17/2017 - KJD45$ Likes this wine: 93 Points
On the nose is a predominate smell I can't quite describe...
Prune, garrigue, not quite barnyard?... I just don't know...
Carries through to the tongue then deep blue/black fruit takeover with
A brilliant combo of spice graphite garrigue sweet tannin but nice acidity that wraps the loooooong finish...
Truly memorable...delicious?...not sure yet...luckily I have 8 moe bottles to draw a conclusion with...for now 93
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8/11/2017 - NostraBacchus Likes this wine: 96 Points
Similar note to my last one. So perfumed and pretty with notes of blackberries, cassis, pepper, leather, smoke, dark stony minerality, dark notes if coffee, sweet spices and minerals again. Full bodied, dense and powerful, but with amazing freshness and medium-high acidity and medium-high tannin that is excellent quality. Excellent length. Year after year one of the very best CdP I know. Just so beautiful, perfect balance between richness and freshness.
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8/11/2017 - EMAZurich Likes this wine: 96 Points
Whuha... dicht, dicht, dicht schon in der Nase. Süsslich schwarz, Honig, Dörrfrüchte.
Am Gaumen bombig/rund... Crazy dicht. Fest und dicht gepacktes Paket. Aber nicht überextrahiert, nicht bitter. Kirscharomen, Himbeeren und Honig. Wirklich gross und sehr geil. Hat Luft nach oben...
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7/10/2017 - ledwards wrote: 96 Points
Very dark and rich yet not sugary or too ripe. Loads of Cassis and blackberry matched with stunning graphite and stone notes toward finish. This is a clear crowd pleaser but will hit the spot with the elites as well. You could consider this a baby Capo with even more dark fruit notes.
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7/6/2017 - bonedoc wrote: 95 Points
Decanted and drank over 2 hours. Excellent concentration of kirsch, black cherry and hints of garrique and minerality. Balanced.... without being overdone. Bravo! Drink now or over 7-10 yrs.
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6/18/2017 - levinml wrote: 94 Points
Drank Father's Day with 2+ inch prime aged porterhouse. Really good stuff. Nice flavors, balance and structure. Went great alone and with the steak (although to be honest, the steak was the star). But drink anytime and enjoy.
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9/15/2016 - fotomill Likes this wine: 92 Points
15%, very alcoholic. Grenache 100%. Deep garnet/ruby. After some decanting alcohol feels slightly less, more fruit comes through, sweet, fragrant, with a very little hint of flower. Definitely needs an hour's decanting. Good but too hot.
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9/4/2016 - thunberg wrote: 91 Points
Dark plum, sweet fruit, some heat in the finish. A good quality CDP but it seem very closed right now.
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4/3/2016 - NostraBacchus Likes this wine: 97 Points
Deep dark ruby/purple color. Explosive notes of blackberries, kirsch, black currant, garrigue, crushed rocks, pepper, dark chocolate, savory herbs, but also some crushed flowers and raw beef. It's full-bodied, dense but without any heaviness, has amazing depth and medium-high tannin that is super ripe as well as (very rare) medium-high acidity. Fantastic length. A super impressive CdP from tiny yields that it both full-throttle, intense but also incredibly fresh, elegant and not overly sweet (as they sometimes are). Love it! (97+)
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1/30/2016 - bubbachumps wrote: 97 Points
Amazing depth an concentration but everything in the right place. Notes of garrigue, black raspberry, earth and smoke, Medium to full bodied in the mouth, nice long finish. Very rich with a nice peppery note on the finish. Spectacular wine!
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1/23/2016 - mattdathan Likes this wine: 97 Points
Wow - this was simply an awesome CdP! Elegant, smooth, beautifully integrated and such a long, silky finish. Power with grace.
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10/10/2015 - winelegends.net Likes this wine: 95 Points
Dunkles Rot mit lila
Dunkel,Brombeeren,Kirschen verschieden intensiv,BitterSchokolade,würzig,
Lakritze.
Intensiver,konzentriert,saftig,gute Säure ,voller Körper,prägender,momentan alkoholischer.
Langer dunkelfruchtig,prägender Abgang.
Fraglos ein riesiges Potential,war aber 2013 um einiges zugänglicher,balancierter.
Würde ich momentan nicht mehr öffnen und besser ein paar Jahre liegen lassen.
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7/11/2015 - cookie7 wrote:
Note after 24 hours - no preservation. Raspberries and plums on the nose. Similar on the palate. Modern styled CDP. Will be interesting to see how this ages.
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6/29/2015 - Niagara wrote: 95 Points
year after year, really well-made wine from Usseglio.
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6/4/2015 - Rezy13 Likes this wine:
Opaque core with thin dark maroon rim; a bit shy and kind of brutish on the nose initially, air really opened this up beautifully, floral, violets, dark raspberry, sweet but serious, garrigue, smoldering wood; dark berry, almost black currant, black raspberry, great mid palate, iron fist in velvet glove, fruit and glycerin hides the deep structure of the wine a bit, sweet fruit and floral finish, lots of nobility; very good; needs time but should be great in 8 years; like this better than the last time.
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4/26/2015 - Wine Fool Likes this wine: 98 Points
Popped and poured by a neighbor for an early spring barbeque. The results were little different from my January review: tightening a bit but still marvelously good. And if memory serves, it is better than the more flamboyant 2007. 98 points.
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3/14/2015 - iar wrote: 96 Points
Great stuff!
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3/3/2015 - Rezy13 wrote: 92 Points
Tuesday Night Double Blind $50+ (Bin 75): Very dark core with plum rim, some sediment; meaty, dark raspberry, black pepper, garrigue, big, cement, violets; solid palate, meaty and rich, deep raspberry, dark fruit, black currant, fresh finish, higher alcohol on finish; 92+.
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2/28/2015 - beau11 wrote: 95 Points
2/16. 96. Really nice. Karen even likes it clean not dirty cdp. Will improve. Needs a decant now.
Great but needs a few more years.
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1/15/2015 - Wine Fool Likes this wine: 97 Points
(Decanted for one and one-half hours.) Like the 2010 Clos des Papes, this amazing wine appears to be shutting down. Gorgeously deep ruby and dark violet in color, the vibrant aromas that screamed Grenache are retreating into a shell. On the palate, the flavors of dark fruits, flowers, anise and earth are still there but more subdued. A great deal of swirling and aerating is necessary to bring everything up to snuff. Nevertheless there was not an empty glass to be found among the tasters. And there is no need to worry: a few years in the bottle will certainly return this delicious wine to greatness, though in a more mature and complex form. Perhaps four to six years?
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11/14/2014 - Philippe_C wrote: 94 Points
Nice nose of ripe black fruit, licorice, roasted meat, sandalwood... Loads of silky tannins, crispy acidity combines with loads of black cherries, 20 seconds finish... Painfully closed at this point, will deserve a better note when opening up 94+/100
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11/10/2014 - GTFreek wrote:
Blind tasted. Moderate nose shows red cherry, mushroom, baking spice, game, purple flowers. Moderate plus alcohol (actually high) and acidity, moderate tannins. The alcohol sent us to New World, I said Cabernet but didn't feel right.
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9/15/2014 - Stadshagen Conoisseur Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very good CD9 2010. Deep red color and strong bouquet full of red berries fragrance, The wine is ready to drink, full depth wine round and strong taste: earth, liquorice, tar, cigar, red berries, cherries...and a certain mild sweetness. Complex and bold, a perfect choice on its own or with food. Perfect for asian inspired food.
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3/2/2014 - Ianjaig wrote: 92 Points
Liquorice and raisins. Lovely depth and structure but this needs 5 years++ at the very least. 92 on tasting, with a potential 95+ in years to come.
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2/24/2014 - _Xenon Likes this wine: 93 Points
Brilliant showing, ready to drink. Heavy perfumed, floral & feminine nose and palate. Not a very typical 2010 vintage wine, rather a 2009 (which explains the similarity to the 2009 Chaupin, however, this wine is better supporting food than the Chaupin). This wine impressed the table.
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2/6/2014 - Wine Fool Likes this wine: 98 Points
Once again, one of the superstars of this celebrated vintage. This tasting experience is in line with my first two. An utterly profound wine in every way: very dark color, very complex nose, and very rich flavors. Stunningly complete and balanced. I really must develop the discipline to leave these babies alone—or buy more! 98+ points.
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1/6/2014 - pclin wrote: 93 Points
It has been more than a year since I last tasted this wine. Have been busy drinking mature Bordeaux and young Burgs. My palate has been conditioned differently for a while now. Beautiful nose, more forward than previous bottle. Notes of licorice, plum, dark chocolate and oak. Smooth tannins but with heat at finish, massive amount of alcohol, maybe in the range of 16% to 17%. Pretty good except for the alcohol level. These CDPs are not for everyone, don't buy them if you can't stand the alcohol level. As one get older, it's harder and harder to enjoy these wines. 93 pts.
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12/21/2013 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 98 Points
The middle palate will literally cause a deluge of berry, spice and game, then holistically infuse with every millimeter of your palate. Ultimately this is majestic and intriguing, in that she only reveals so much, then causes a knee-jerking reaction to acknowledge all things sublime. Very long; there's a dark and red berry cornucopia that leads to Chicken Marsala, white pepper, lilies, baked lime, granite and Hoisin Sauce. Decanted for three hours and what a stunning achievement in the world of Grenache. She is designed to study for longer than a score. I love this more than the illustrious '07 (96 points). Drink 2016 -.
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11/6/2013 - Vintomas wrote: 92 Points
Three wines from Pierre Usseglio, 2011/2010 (Grappe, Stockholm): Nose with ripe cherries and dark berries, some balsamico notes, rather pronounced flowery notes with violets, spices and some dried herbs, some mineral. Medium bodied+, palate with ripe dark cherries and other berries, quite concentrated, some sweetness of fruit, mineral, and noticeable medium+ tannins. The aftertaste shows ripe dark berries and some tannin. Young, should be allowed some years in the cellar (drinking window 2015-2020+), 92+ p.
This wine shows considerably darker fruit notes and is more concentrated than the regular 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which makes it bigger and in more need of cellaring. The concentration means that this wine hides its alcohol well. The mineral notes are there, but are more in the background than in the regular cuvée, which means that this wine builds its elegance a bit more on the flowery notes. It does not have noticeable oak notes or excessive sweetness.
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10/15/2013 - Wine Fool Likes this wine: 98 Points
A dark and rich color. The bowl of the glass is perfumed by flowers, dark fruit compote, and an herb garden. (Hey, where is the funk?) Still sexy and round in the mouth with deep flavors of stewed fruits (plums and berries), mocha, earth, anise and smoke. Sweet, sweet tannins dance on the long finish. Very big yet very suave. I must leave the rest alone to improve--if that is possible! 98 points.
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9/21/2013 - _Xenon Likes this wine: 94 Points
Opening this wine I immediately thought, that it will be a tough job to distinguish this one in a blind test to the Janasse CdP Chaupin. It is made in the same style (only a bit of oak) with mainly Grenache.
It is a sirup of cherry, overwhelming me with an intoxicating nose right from the start. But in addition it has enough body to be served as a dinner wine. Something I would probably not do with the 2009 Chaupin (the Chaupin IS the dinner :-)).
I rated this only a 94 which is below my Chaupin rating as there is a slight unbalance in the palate. Nevertheless its a georgeous high end wine ready to be enjoyed right now (bought for 75€ beginning of 2013).
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9/19/2013 - winelegends.net Likes this wine: 95 Points
95-97(+?);-)
Dunkles Rot mit schwarzem Kern.
Schwarze Kirschen,schwarzbeerig,Süssholz, Lakritze.
Vollmundig,fleischig,extremer Schmelz,unheimlich seidene,tiefe Struktur.
Leder auch florales und eine Pfefferminzfrische.
Unheimlich energetisch,absolut in Balance.
Langer schwarzfruchtiger Abgang.
Kann schwer die Finger davon lassen.
Absolut eigenständiger Klassewein,wenn man es ein klein bisschen praller mag.
Für mich Widerstand zwecklos.
bad english;
dark red with black heart.
black cherries,black berries,licorice.
mouthfilling,meaty,melting,silky, deep structure.
leather,lightly floral and a peppermint freshness.
energetic,rich and in balance.
long black fruit aftertaste.
absolutely oustanding wine with own character(intensely,sappy).
glass is always empty.
(picture is on(blog) winelegends.net)
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7/7/2013 - Wine Fool Likes this wine: 98 Points
This wine is a hedonist’s delight! Dark, dark ruby in color. The nose is so expressive of origin: you can smell the Rhone valley in the flowers, plums, coffee, garrique and touch of brett. And the wine is so freaking sexy in the mouth. It is round, rich, smooth and silky. (Frankly, it goes down so easily that you might drink too much of it!) Is this wine traditional to type? No. Is it nevertheless good? Yes, and it will get even better with a few years in bottle. It is one of my new favorite 2010 CDPs.
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6/1/2013 - Jeff Leve wrote: 97 Points
You can see the level of concentration of fruit in the deep color, and sense it on the palate with the decadent levels of sublime pure, ripe, fresh berries, silky tannins and in the long, rich finish. Usseglio has been on fire since 1998! This is a beautiful style and expression of Grenache with a track record for aging.
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5/25/2013 - FlyPig Likes this wine: 95 Points
So young but so good. First quality 2010 CDP I've opened, and it definitely validated the hype. Delicious balance - a little brett on the nose, but not in the mouth, great fruit, gorgeous structure. Decanted 4 hours in the morning, then drunk over 2 hours. Will keep the rest for a few years if I can keep my hands off them.
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5/7/2013 - Philippe_C wrote: 95 Points
Beautiful nose of licorice, black cherries, leather, sandalwood... very fresh, super silky tannins, beautiful freshness
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11/22/2012 - pclin wrote: 94 Points
Blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah. Good nose. Floral and forward but probably not as clean as Janasse Chaupin 2010. Notes of dark cherry, licorice, flowers, and liqueur. Rich and full-bodied, this is much bigger than Mon Aieul 2009. Multi-layered and long finish with noticeable tannins at the end, not as approachable as Mon Aieul 2009. Better to lay this off for a few years. Comparatively, 2009 vintage has sweeter tannins but short finish, this is a better wine overall. Label indicated 15% but I think it's more than that with slight heat at finish. Fresh level of acidity, higher than 2009 vintage. Showing better on 2nd day, slightly sour tannins similar to St Julien wines. Still plenty of fruits and tannins. Good balance on 3rd day, most tannins are resolved with dark chocolate and toasty oak (really? with only 20% in demi-muid) aftertaste, interesting. Sweet tannins with slightly dry mid-palate, this wine really behaves very differently and continues to improve over the 3 days. Upgrade the score. 94-96 pts.
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11/3/2012 - Philippe_C wrote: 98 Points
Wow wow, powerful nose of ripe strawberries, roasted meat, oriental spices, leather, bacon fat... a nose to die for... in the mouth, very feminine, light at start and builds up with ripe sweet fruit, refreshing acidity, even salinity that makes you want more.. a beauty of a wine!!
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9/9/2012 - Kropsterapeut wrote: 95 Points
The aroma is rich in fruits, almost candy-like. The taste is silky with cherry, licorice and a hint of alcohol. In a few years it will be certainly great more than it already is now
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8/3/2012 - cr84 wrote: 99 Points
What's this dark ruby essence being poured in my glass?! Oh Me! This curious stuff, delineated by a velvety, tannic structure, is gorgeous. It's full, awesome. A rainbow of raw and cooked berries builds the insanely complex and minute-long final. Looking for a modernly made traditional Chateauneuf du Pape able to reach perfection in a few years? Here it is.
(99-100)
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7/7/2012 - Philippe_C wrote: 98 Points
Powerfull nose of ripe red cherries, meaty, gamey, spice nose garrigue... in the mouth, very mineral, fresh, spicy, black fruit, nice acidity, very long aftertaste... this wine is very elegant, never overpowering, but has an extra long fruity finish which makes a great wines
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3/21/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 96 Points
From 100% Grenache, made from insanely low yields of 16 hecoliters per hectare, the wine reached 16.5% alcohol. Yet there is no touch of heat in the concentrated, deep, lush, ripe, licorice, black cherry liqueur and floral wine. I love this stylish wine. Mon Aieul is one of the most consistent producers of Chateauneuf du Pape.
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1/16/2012 - KeithAkers wrote: 93 Points
Alain Junguenet Selections-2010 CdPs (Benny's Chop House Chicago IL): nose: Rich, ripe and extracted nose filled with tones of black and red fruits, spices, liqueur, and tones of hot stones. A lot of depth and while it is forward, it is on the tight side as well
taste: full bodied with very chewy tannins and lower acidity. Very plush on the feel behind the tannins with great depth and extracted tones of black fruits, red fruits, spices and liqueur tones
overall: great depth and insanely young. The tannins certainly show the youth, but the fruit of the wine is very desirable right now for those that want it
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11/21/2011 - rnellans wrote: 96 Points
Tasted at domaine. Wow. 95% grenache and 5% syrah. Huge fruit. Jam, velvet, depth, soft tannins. Beautiful balance...Long. Will develop with time into a great wine imo.
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