2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Mon Aieul
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Tasting notes
The Usseglio’s consider the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul to be their greatest to date. I’ve done numerous tastings with the 2010 and 2007 side by side, and more times than not, I think the 2007 is the better wine. Time will tell though, and both are sensational wines that readers should have in their cellars. The inky colored 2010 is 100% Grenache fermented with 30% stems and aged in a combination of older barrels and foudre. More focused and precise than the '07 (and even darker in color), yet still with massive concentration and depth, it offers deep, rich notes of blackberries, cassis, ground herbs, pepper and crushed rocks. Full-bodied, thick and layered on the palate, it never puts a foot wrong, has fabulous purity and a blockbuster finish. It needs 3-4 years of cellaring, but will have 20-25 years of longevity.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
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.
Dark crimson. Very ripe, almost porty on the nose. Lustrous and polished. Black cherry soup. Then quite marked tannin and acidity. Should make old bones. Quite dramatic. ‘Twould be interesting to taste this alongside one of the drier ports – or a fine Douro red. Appetising and successful.