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2003 Pierre Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

March 24, 2024 - $72

Estimate

RATINGS

98The Wine Advocate

A blockbuster and one of the true stars of this vintage... this massive, voluptuous effort is almost overflowing with notes of ground herbs, chocolate dusted meats, black fruits and licorice... with beautiful purity and freshness

97Jeb Dunnuck

...stunning nose of raspberries, earth, licorice, spice, charred wood and a slightly roasted, meaty quality that I just cannot get enough of and causes my mouth to water. A medium to full bodied palate with a big, mouth coating, velvety texture that just grips your mouth. Gobs of sweet tannins show up on the incredibly long finish.

95Wine Spectator

With gorgeous raspberry ganache and cassis fruit that glides atop grilled herb, mineral and tar flavors. Long, authoritative finish shows lots of grip and fruit.

92Stephen Tanzer

Fabulously rich and concentrated, with densely packed but pure and precise flavors of berries, plum, cherry cola, floral pastille and charred meat. This sees only 5% oak. Finishes ripe and thick, with very persistent roasted berry flavors.

REGION

France, Rhône Valley, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the appellation, is a large area of nearly 8,000 vineyard acres centered around the picturesque town of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Located in southeastern France just north of the Avignon hills, the name of the appellation means “new castle of the pope” and it is a reference to the 14th century, when the Popes of Avignon built summer homes in the Southern Rhone Valley. Today the appellation is one of the most renowned in France and its terroir is known for layers of small pebbles, called “galets.” The stones in the soil are thought to help store heat and keep the soil warm, which helps ripen the grapes. The stones also help keep the soil from drying out in hot summer months. In 1923 Châteauneuf-du-Pape was a leader in establishing the idea that AOC wines in France should be made only with specified grapes, and the appellation allowed 13 grape varieties to be used. Since then the rules have been slightly modified to include several more allowable grapes. Red and white wines are produced, though in practice about 97% of all Châteauneuf –du-Papes are reds made with a blend of Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Counoise, Mourvedre, Muscardine, Syrah and Vaccarese. The red wines of this appellation are prized for being big, rich, spicy and full-bodied. White wines of the appellation are made with Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Picpoul and Picardin. Whites are floral, fruity and relatively full-bodied.