Coming from the Les Serres, Guigasse, and La Crau lieux-dits, the 2023 Ch\u00e2teauneuf Du Pape Cuv\u00e9e Mon A\u00efeul was vinified with 100% whole clusters and raised in neutral demi-muids. This deep ruby\/plum-hued beauty offers up black cherries, roasted herbs, candied violets, and pepper in an almost overflowing Proven\u00e7al style. Medium to full-bodied, it’s incredibly layered, seamless, and sexy, with perfectly integrated tannins, gorgeous purity, and outstanding length. It reminds me slightly of the 2006 and will drink beautifully over the coming 20 years. Drink 2025-2045.
\nOne of the leading estates (as well as a personal favorite) in Ch\u00e2teauneuf-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 C\u00f4tes du Rh\u00f4ne), a terrific Lirac in both red and white, and several Ch\u00e2teauneuf-du-Papes. The Premi\u00e8re Pierre is the classic cuv\u00e9e (75% Grenache with Syrah, Mourv\u00e8dre, and Cinsault), and there’s also the fun and eclectic Clos No 18, which includes all 18 permitted varieties\u2026 it’s never my favorite but always fun to taste. The two flagship cuv\u00e9es are the Mon A\u00efeul (100% Grenache from Les Serres, Guigasse, and La Crau, vinified with whole clusters and aged in neutral demi-muids) and the Reserve des Deux Fr\u00e8res (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 A\u00efeul and Reserve reminding me slightly of the domaine’s 2006s (which are brilliant). The family opted not to produce their Reserve des Deux Fr\u00e8res cuv\u00e9e in 2024, yet certainly the Mon A\u00efeul showed well.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Jeb Dunnuck (10\/6\/2020)
\n\u00a9 2020 Jeb Dunnuck | Reprinted with Permission<\/p>\n