2001 Chateauneuf du Pape

The brilliant 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape should not be overlooked (the 1998 and 2000 are drinking spectacularly well at present). A peppery, leathery, earthy effort with copious quantities of black cherries, this dense, full-bodied 2001 is surprisingly precocious by Usseglio’s standards. Nevertheless, 1-2 years of cellaring is warranted given the size and structure of this big, chewy, 75% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault, and 5% Syrah blend. It was aged in neutral wood foudres for 15-18 months. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2014. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173

Deep red. Slightly funky, complex aromas of dark berries, gunflint, smoke and candied ginger. Rich, slightly porty flavors of blackberry and smoke show very good depth and complexity. Still a bit tight on the back end, but intense and persistent.

The brilliant 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape should not be overlooked (the 1998 and 2000 are drinking spectacularly well at present). A peppery, leathery, earthy effort with copious quantities of black cherries, this dense, full-bodied 2001 is surprisingly precocious by Usseglio’s standards. Nevertheless, 1-2 years of cellaring is warranted given the size and structure of this big, chewy, 75% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault, and 5% Syrah blend. It was aged in neutral wood foudres for 15-18 months. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2014. Wine Advocate.February, 2004