2009 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de mon Aïeul, France, Rhone, Wine Review

One of the great Chateauneufs Du Pape and from a great vintage. This is 100 percent Grenache. Ruby/purple in color, clear and bright. The nose is very nice with cherries, spices and "garrique". On the palate, black cherries. The depth seems a bit lacking for the pedigree but perhaps is is a bit shut down at this point. It is a delicious wine and enjoyable. It's more of under-performing high expectations. Tasted twice over the last six months with consistent notes. It is food friendly but will take heartier stews and meat dishes.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2009

Current Price:

$80.00USD

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Rhone Valley & Spanish Rhone-style Wines Tasted at the 2008 Hospice du Rhone Events

The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. Last month we reported on American Rhone-style wines we tasted at the 16th annual Hospice du Rhone events in Paso Robles, California from May 1 to 3, 2008. We noted that this event was an opportunity to consider Rhone-style wines from a fresh perspective because, unlike most tasting opportunities, these events included Rhone-style wines from the Rhone Valley itself (51 wineries), elsewhere in France (4 wineries) as well as from Spain (4 wineries), Australia (17 wineries), South Africa (6 wineries), Chile (2 wineries), Argentina (1 winery) and the United States. While this was a California-dominated event, and while many of the Rhone Valley’s best producers weren’t represented, there was still sufficient European and other entries to make for interesting comparisons and contrasts.

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2016 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de mon Aïeul, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$80.00USD

Wow. A spectacular wine. This is of course very young but it is so delicious and enjoyable. It won't hit peak for a decade at least. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is peppery with black cherries, spice, soy, garrique and floral notes. On the palate, this is viscous with a wonderful texture. Lots of black cherry and black raspberry fruit. A bit of liqueur. Long finish. This is made from 100% Grenache. Right now it's a difficult food match but give it time in the cellar and it should be great with meats and fowl. It you have a few though, you would be missing somethi

2007 Domaine de la Solitude (Lançon Père et Fils) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Cornelia Constanza, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2007

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$83.00USD

This is drinking well. Probably at or close to peak at this point. Ruby/purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, slight floral notes and garrique. On the palate, there is some oak showing though this is brought up more in tank than barrel. Perhaps just from concentrated old vine/stems? Cherries, black raspberries and slight funk. Starting to show some layering though that will doubtless expand over the next decade. I don't think it get's better but will continue to morph, so it depends on how you like them. Nice finish. This is very food friendly and would

2004 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2004

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$45.00USD

One of the longer living CdP's. However, 2004 is an ok, not great vintage at this time. The result? At age 15 this is at peak. It should be here for at least five and likely ten more years. Medium ruby in color. The nose has cherries, slight floral notes, garrique and slight earthy funk. On the palate, this has nice depth. Layers of cherry liqueur unwind in the glass over a funky earthiness. Light dry tannins especially on the finish. This works well with stews and roast. Everything you want in a traditional CdP.

2016 Domaine Font de Vent Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$40.00USD

This producer used to be known as Font de Michelle but has re-branded using this name. It is a very traditional CdP with about 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre according to the back label. Purple in color. The nose has black cherry and spice and a bit of a liqueur note. Very nice chewy mouth feel. Black cherries, a bit floral and cherries along with some alcohol on the palate. Long finish. This should pair well with stews, charcuterie and roasts. Both 2015 and 2016 are great vintages in CdP. This one easily has a decade or more left to enjoy.

2009 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de mon Aïeul, France, Rhone, Wine Review

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