PRE-ARRIVAL OFFER: 2016 Usseglio Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Buy Pre-Arrival and Save 15% off RRP

‘Thierry Usseglio, representing the third generation of Usseglios in Châteauneuf du Pape, always seems to have a smile on his face. And why not? The top wines consistently sell well, and even his lowly Vin de France is a tasty drop. Maybe his thoughts on 2016 have something else to do with his grin. As we tasted through the lineup of barrel and tank samples, he said, "In Châteauneuf du Pape, 2016 is an extraordinary vintage. I've been doing this since '92 and never seen anything like it."

Fans of super ripe, rich, lusty Grenache-based wines will continue to enjoy the current crop of offerings from Thierry Usseglio at the domaine named for his father. These are not shy, demure wines, but despite their massive ripeness (sometimes exceeding 16% alcohol), they still show a modicum of elegance. The tannins are always supple, the extraction gentle, and the wines show no hard edges—the word zaftig comes to mind. "What's unusual about 2016 is the combination of concentration and freshness," said Usseglio, who used 30% to 40% whole clusters in his regular Châteauneuf du Pape that year. "It's interesting for the spice and balance," he said. In 2017, given the tiny crop, he backed off on the proportion of whole clusters, dropping down to 20%.’

Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

Wines being unloaded April 8th. Shipping from the 9th onwards.

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">2016 P. Usseglio Chateauneuf-du-Pape</span><br><span style="color: rgb(230, 25, 75);">750ml - $80.00 Pre-Arrival  </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <span style="font-size:12px;" class="decrease-size">(</span></span><i style=""><s style=""><span style="font-size: 12px;" class="decrease-size"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">RRP$94.99)</span></span></s></i><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:12px;" class="decrease-size"> </span></span><br><span style="color: rgb(230, 25, 75);">Magnum - $174.00 Pre-Arrival</span>   <i style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><s><span style="font-size:12px;" class="decrease-size">(RRP $204.99)</span></s></i><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12px;" class="decrease-size"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><br>

2016 P. Usseglio Chateauneuf-du-Pape
750ml - $80.00 Pre-Arrival (~~RRP$94.99)~~
Magnum - $174.00 Pre-Arrival ~~(RRP $204.99)~~

(80% Grenche, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault)

Hand harvested from the estates own 35-75yr old vines. The wine undergoes a traditional fermentation before being aged in a mix of concrete vat and various sized barrels for 12 months.

‘A blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 5% each Cinsault and Mourvèdre, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape is full-bodied, rich and round. Despite being a touch on the warm side, it's deceptively easy to drink, with sexy flavors of raspberries and chocolate that glide to a smooth, lingering finish.’

92 points - Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

2016 P. Usseglio Chateauneuf-du-Pape  ‘Cuvee de Mon Aieul’<br><span style="color: rgb(230, 25, 75);">750ml - $174.00 Pre-Arrival</span> <span style="text-decoration-line: line-through;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;" class="decrease-size">(RRP $204.99)</span></span><br><span style="color: rgb(230, 25, 75);">Magnum - $378.00 Pre-Arrival</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: 12px; text-decoration-line: line-through;" class="decrease-size">(RRP $444.99)</span></span><br>

2016 P. Usseglio Chateauneuf-du-Pape ‘Cuvee de Mon Aieul’
750ml - $174.00 Pre-Arrival(RRP $204.99)
Magnum - $378.00 Pre-Arrival (RRP $444.99)

(100% Grenache)

From 75-90yr old vines in select parcels in La Crau, Bédines and Greenhouses. Cuvee de Mon Aieul is aged in only concrete to allow an unadulterated expression of the amazing old fruit.

‘All Grenache, all whole cluster and from parcels in the lieux-dits of La Guigasse, Le Crau and Les Serres, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul has evolved beautifully since I tasted it last year, showing vibrant floral and tea-like notes, raspberry fruit and hints of licorice. It's full-bodied, rich and velvety, with overtones of spice cake on the long, crisp finish. Tasting it, I was surprised to find out what the alcohol level was, because it showed no obvious heat—a testament to how much else is going on here.’

97 points– Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

2016 P. Usseglio CNDP ‘Reserve des 2 Freres’ 750ml<br><span style="color: rgb(230, 25, 75);">$288.00 Pre-Arrival   </span><i style=""><s><span style="font-size:12px;" class="decrease-size">(RRP $339.99)</span></s></i><span style="font-size: 12px;" class="decrease-size"> </span><br>

2016 P. Usseglio CNDP ‘Reserve des 2 Freres’ 750ml
$288.00 Pre-Arrival ~~(RRP $339.99)~~

(100% Grenache)

From 75-90yr old vines mostly in select parcels in La Crau, Bédines and Greenhouses. Unlike the Cuvee de Mon Aieul, Reserve des 2 Freres is aged in 50% demi-barriques (112L) and 50% new Bordeaux style barrels (225L).

‘I'm not typically a fan of Grenache aged in new, smaller oak vessels, but the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des 2 Freres works. It's 100% Grenache aged in new 300-liter barrels for 14-15 months. Vanilla and baking spices make themselves known, but this full-bodied, plush wine offers waves of Christmas cake-like flavors and unimaginable enveloping softness, balanced by decent acids and a long, supple finish. It's considerably fresher than I remember the 2015 being.’

99 points – Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

2016 P. Usseglio Lirac <br><span style="color: rgb(230, 25, 75);">$44.00 Pre-Arrival   </span><span style="text-decoration-line: line-through; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:12px;" class="decrease-size">(RRP $51.99)</span></span><br>

2016 P. Usseglio Lirac
$44.00 Pre-Arrival (RRP $51.99)

(60% Grenche, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault)

Lirac is South West from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, just across the river where the Usseglio’s have an amazing parcel of 40yr od vines. This wine undergoes a temperature controlled fermentation before being aged in a mix of concrete vats and demi muids (600L oak barrels).

‘Dark, plummy and rich, Usseglio's full-bodied 2016 Lirac has turned out as well as I hoped when I tasted it last year. It's creamy and lush, yet it shows no heat or dried fruit, just plush, hedonistic pleasure. It's a blend of 70% Grenache and 10% each Cinsault, Mourvèdre and Syrah, aged 12 months in concrete vats (50%) and oak demi-muids (50%).’

92 points - Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

2016 P. Usseglio Cotes du Rhone 750ml<br><span style="color: rgb(230, 25, 75);">$34.00 Pre-Arrival   </span><span style="text-decoration-line: line-through;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;" class="decrease-size">(RRP $39.99)</span></span><br>

2016 P. Usseglio Cotes du Rhone 750ml
$34.00 Pre-Arrival (RRP $39.99)

(60% Grenche, 20% Mourvedre, 20% Cinsault)

From the stony and sandy soils of Pierre Usselio’s 6 hectare. As is the norm for Cotes du Rhone, this is wine is fermented and aged in concrete for 6 months for a full expression of fruit.

‘From several sites adjoining Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the 2016 Cotes du Rhone is a rich, full-bodied, super ripe blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Cinsault and 20% Mourvèdre. Brandied cherries pick up hints of chocolate on the dense, creamy-textured finish. While delicious in its own hedonistic way, it's a bit much for me, but some folks will love it.’

89 points – Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

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