One of Usseglio’s top cuvées, Mon Aïeul (“my granddad”) is 100% Grenache from some of the estate’s oldest vines (about 85 years of age) in La Crau, La Guigasse and Les Grandes Serres lieux-dits – each with a different type of soil.
Situated on an elevated plateau to the east of the village, La Crau is perhaps Châteauneuf’s most famous cru, known for its distinctive “galets roulés”, large, rounded river stones deposited here by the Rhône millions of years ago. To the south of the village, Les Grandes Serres is a very warm site on gravelly alluvial soils (and the source of the estate’s biggest wine, the 18% ABV “Not for You”). La Guigasse, on the other hand, is a cooler, sandier site with hardly any galets located on the northeastern part of the appellation, near the famous Pignan and Rayas lieux-dits (Chateau Rayas)
Mostly unoaked, it was brought up in concrete vats, with 15-20% in demi-muids. Ruby red color. Intensely perfumed, with notes of red and dark fruit (strawberry, raspberry), licorice and herbs. Full-bodied, rich, opulent and concentrated. Ripe fruit (cherry) and white pepper, smooth and creamy on the palate. Long, velvety, quite tannic finish. Hedonistic wine. — 2 years ago
Very quaffable! — 8 months ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over a couple of hours. The 2020 Chateauneuf-du-Pape “Colombis” pours a slightly brighter and more translucent ruby relative to Isabel's standard CdP. The nose is more perfumed and ever so pretty with primarily (though beautifully ripened) red fruit, carnations, and licorice. Confirmed on the palate with a “Dear God that is Grenache” sort of impression. A bag of Twizzlers. Medium tannin and medium acid. The finish is sexy, in a refined and mature sort of way..a bit like Susan Sarandon in Alfie. Ooof. Colombis is 100% whole cluster Grenache from from a blend of three lieu-dits (Colombis, led Roules and le Cristia); all aged in foudre exclusively. Overall, this retains the trademark elegance found in her other wines but the fleshiness of the Grenache is palpable. This is glossy, slick, impressive texture. Hard to say how this will age since I’ve seemed to struggle to understand the aging arc of 100% Grenache wines. That being said, I think this will drink very well in the near term while the fruit is so fresh. Somewhere around 2028 however, this might quiet quit on everyone…and may take some time to emerge from that to show some secondary characteristics that are redeeming. But shit…this stuff is expensive so I would drink it now while it’s so impressive. — 2 years ago
Great well balanced red — 3 years ago
Beautiful northern Rhône style in Languedoc. Deep purple hues with powerful game / meat scents and iron. Herbaceous, dried thyme, pepper, some ripened raspberry too. Medium body, strong tannins, medium acids.
Made out of site named “Puech Noble.” Located on a small plateau, the ground is covered with ‘galets roulés’ - rounded stones - Very similar to those found in the parts of nearby Chateauneuf-du-Pape. At 150m higher than most of Chateauneuf, so is significantly cooler and offers a fresher character. — 2 years ago
wow, absolutely top tier syrah from a cool climate region, Arroyo Grande — 2 years ago
Wonderfully perfumed and rich eight year-old Central Coast Pinot Noir, with fruit, acid, tannins and earth in harmonious balance. Got better as the night went on, and the leftover half bottle the next day was great—soft and approachable yet complex and delicious interesting. Rather Old World, I would say. Enjoyed the 2014 vintage with Livarot cheese and an artisanal country loaf. Magnifique! — 3 years ago
First Beaujolais nouveau 2020 — 4 years ago
romo
Satisfying cinnamon boysenberry. Meaty matchy QPR. — 4 months ago