Châteauneuf-du-pape
35,00 €
SOIL TYPE :
We work on different soils, Sands, Clay,
This diversity allows us to obtain a complex and balanced wine
Limestone and Rolled Pebbles
GRAPE VARIETIES :
Grenache: 75%
Syrah: 10%
Mourvèdre: 5%
Cinsault: 5%
Clairette Blanche: 5%
VINIFICATION, ELEVAGE :
Our Châteauneuf-du-Pape Première Pierre Rouge
is produced in the traditional manner, with vines
ranging from 35 to 75 years old. The grapes are
harvested manually and 60% destemmed. The
fermentation is monitored by temperature control and
lasts between 25 and 35 days.
The wines are aged in oak barrels, ½ muids,
concrete vats and barriques for a period of 12 months
then bottled in spring.
TASTING :
Balance and finesse characterize our
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Première Pierre 2022. It
exudes aromas of black fruits, raspberry, cherry,
spices, and pepper. The tannins are silky, the Première
Pierre 2022 is rich and persistent on the finish. Good
aging potential with a moderate alcohol content.
WINE ADVOCATE 2023
2023 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Du Pape Premiere Pierre
Harmonious and vibrant, the 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape Première Pierre has turned out beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of violet, dark cherries, mulberries and fresh thyme. Medium- to full-bodied, layered and enveloping, it’s supple and juicy, built around a fine tannic frame that carries through to a long, fruity and penetrating finish. The blend unites 65% Grenache Noir, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Cinsault, 10% Syrah and a touch of Clairette, with 30% of the fruit vinified as whole clusters.
— wine advocate (2023)
© wine advocate | Reprinted with Permission
wine advocate (2023)
WINE ADVOCATE 2022
2022 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Du Pape Premiere Pierre
Macerated for 35 days and partly destemmed, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Première Pierre wafts from the glass with aromas of dark cherries, bay leaf, spices and dark wild berries mingled with menthol hints. Medium to full-bodied, enrobing and charming, it’s elegant and fresh with a fleshy core of fruit and velvety tannins that lead to a long, fruity and delicate finish. This blend of 65% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault and 5% Clairette, matured for 12 months in 60% foudres and 40% used barrels, is a very pretty wine.
— wine advocate (2023)
© wine advocate | Reprinted with Permission
wine advocate (2023)
JEB DUNNUCK 2024
2024 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Du Pape Premiere Pierre
Brought up in foudre and demi-muids (there’s a tiny 2% new oak), the 2024 Châteauneuf Du Pape Premiere Pierre has a medium-bodied, juicy style with black cherries, sappy herbs, violets, and pepper. It’s nicely textured, has solid mid-palate depth, ripe tannins, and a fresher, crunchy yet still ripe style that will drink nicely right out of the gate.
One of the leading estates (as well as a personal favorite) in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is Domaine Pierre Usseglio, which is run by brothers Thierry and Jean-Pierre Usseglio, with the next generation of Gregory Usseglio now taking a larger and larger role. They farm roughly 60 hectares and produce a wide range of wines, including a Vin de France L’Unique (which replaced their Côtes du Rhône), a terrific Lirac in both red and white, and several Châteauneuf-du-Papes. The Première Pierre is the classic cuvée (75% Grenache with Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault), and there’s also the fun and eclectic Clos No 18, which includes all 18 permitted varieties… it’s never my favorite but always fun to taste. The two flagship cuvées are the Mon Aïeul (100% Grenache from Les Serres, Guigasse, and La Crau, vinified with whole clusters and aged in neutral demi-muids) and the Reserve des Deux Frères (100% Grenache from old vines, aged entirely in new barrels). These are two brilliant yet dramatically different expressions of Grenache. The 2023s are spectacular, with both the Mon Aïeul and Reserve reminding me slightly of the domaine’s 2006s (which are brilliant). The family opted not to produce their Reserve des Deux Frères cuvée in 2024, yet certainly the Mon Aïeul showed well.
— Jeb Dunnuck (10/6/2020)
© 2020 Jeb Dunnuck | Reprinted with Permission
Jeb Dunnuck (8/16/2019)
JEB DUNNUCK 2023
2023 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Du Pape Premiere Pierre
Checking in as 75% Grenache from La Crau, La Serre, Guigasse, and L’Escaouland with 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault, and 5% Clairette, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Premiere Pierre was destemmed and aged in foudre, barrels, and demi-muids, with the latter being almost all used. It’s beautifully polished, balanced, and elegant, with ripe blackberries, cherries, Provençal herbs, and flowers with a hint of licorice. Medium-bodied and pure, it has balanced, ripe tannins and a great finish. Drink bottles over the coming 10-15 years or more.
One of the leading estates (as well as a personal favorite) in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is Domaine Pierre Usseglio, which is run by brothers Thierry and Jean-Pierre Usseglio, with the next generation of Gregory Usseglio now taking a larger and larger role. They farm roughly 60 hectares and produce a wide range of wines, including a Vin de France L’Unique (which replaced their Côtes du Rhône), a terrific Lirac in both red and white, and several Châteauneuf-du-Papes. The Première Pierre is the classic cuvée (75% Grenache with Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault), and there’s also the fun and eclectic Clos No 18, which includes all 18 permitted varieties… it’s never my favorite but always fun to taste. The two flagship cuvées are the Mon Aïeul (100% Grenache from Les Serres, Guigasse, and La Crau, vinified with whole clusters and aged in neutral demi-muids) and the Reserve des Deux Frères (100% Grenache from old vines, aged entirely in new barrels). These are two brilliant yet dramatically different expressions of Grenache. The 2023s are spectacular, with both the Mon Aïeul and Reserve reminding me slightly of the domaine’s 2006s (which are brilliant). The family opted not to produce their Reserve des Deux Frères cuvée in 2024, yet certainly the Mon Aïeul showed well.
— Jeb Dunnuck (10/6/2020)
© 2020 Jeb Dunnuck | Reprinted with Permission
Jeb Dunnuck (8/16/2019)
JEB DUNNUCK 2022
2022 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Du Pape Premiere Pierre
The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Première Pierre is terrific, with the classic Provençal style of the year as well as ripe red and black fruit, peppery garrigue, sandalwood, and spicy nuances. It’s medium to full-bodied, has a pure, elegant, seamless mouthfeel, and fine tannins, all making for an incredibly elegant classic cuvée.
— Jeb Dunnuck (10/6/2020)
© 2020 Jeb Dunnuck | Reprinted with Permission
Jeb Dunnuck (8/16/2019)
JEB DUNNUCK 2021
2021 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Du Pape Premiere Pierre
Another terrific success in the vintage, the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Première Pierre has beautiful notes of spiced cherries, new leather, peppery garrigue, and assorted Provençal, spicy nuances that carry to a medium bodied, ripe, expansive 2021 with fine tannins and tons of character. It makes the most of the vintage and is well worth your time and money. It will evolve for a decade.
One of the leading estates in Châteauneuf du Pape is unquestionably Domaine Pierre Usseglio, which is run by Thierry and Jean-Pierre Usseglio, with the next generation of Gregory Usseglio now working full-time with the estate as well. The lineup has shifted slightly over the years, with their Côtes du Rhône being replaced by the L’Unique label, which is released as a Vin de France. They produce a terrific Lirac, both red and white. Looking at the Châteauneuf du Pape releases, the classic red and white are now released under the label Premiere Pierre, and they’ve added the new Clos Pierre Usseglio 18 Cépages, which includes all 18 of the permitted grape varieties, red and white. The Cuvée Mon Aïeul and Reserve des Deux Freres remain unchanged and are two brilliant, yet dramatically different, expressions of Grenache.
— Jeb Dunnuck (10/6/2020)
© 2020 Jeb Dunnuck | Reprinted with Permission
Jeb Dunnuck (8/16/2019)
JEB DUNNUCK 2018
2018 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Du Pape
The 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape is the classic cuvée of the estate and is based on 55% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, and the balance Cinsault that was raised mostly in concrete tank. It’s certainly worthy of a case purchase and has a gorgeous perfume of kirsch and blackberry fruits as well as loads of spiced meat, charcuteries, flowers, and garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, round, and elegant on the palate, it has the more frontend loaded style of the vintage, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It’s going to drink well for at least 10–12 years.
— Jeb Dunnuck (10/6/2020)
© 2020 Jeb Dunnuck | Reprinted with Permission
Jeb Dunnuck (8/16/2019)
