L’UNIQUE Rouge Archives - Domaine Pierre Usseglio

JEB DUNNUCK 2018

Gregory2025-11-20T14:34:58+01:00

2018 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils French Wine L’Unique

Leading off the reds and from parcels surrounding Châteauneuf Du Pape, the 2018 Vin De France L’Unique checks in as a mix of 50% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and the rest Cinsault, Merlot, and Marselan. It’s a rocking Côtes Du Rhône lookalike that has plenty of black cherry, red currants, spice box, and garrigue aromas and flavors. It’s rounded, supple, fruit-forward, and one delicious bottle of wine.

Unquestionably one of the top estates in France is that of brothers Thierry and Jean-Pierre Usseglio, whose estate is located just north of the village of Châteauneuf du Pape, on the route to Orange. They pull from roughly 60 hectares of vines and the lineup has grown to include a Vin de France l’Unique, which replaces their Côtes Du Rhône, as well as a terrific Lirac. Looking at their Châteauneuf du Papes, the classic cuvée is always a Grenache heavy blend that include 15-20% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, as well as a small amount of Cinsault. This cuvée is normally mostly destemmed (the 2017 has around 30% stems) and is brought up in a mix of used barrels. The Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Mon Aïeul always comes from the La Serres, La Crau, and La Guigasse lieux-dits and is 100% Grenache. It can vary from being completely destemmed or not at all depending on the vintage, and while past vintages saw a touch of new oak, it’s raised all in used demi-muids today. They also produce a tiny amount of their Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve des Deux Freres and it’s always been a more modern styled cuvée in the past, but the amount of new oak has been cut dramatically in recent vintages, with the 2016 only seeing 20% new barrels. This cuvée is always a cellar selection of the top lots in any vintage, and it’s unfortunately not made in either 2017 or 2018. Lastly, and only in great vintages, they’ll pull out a single barrel from the Les Serres lieu-dit that’s from the oldest vines of the estate. This “Not For You” cuvée has been released in 2007, 2010, and 2016, and it’s Grenache at its most sexy, flamboyant, and over the top.

Jeb Dunnuck (2018)

JEB DUNNUCK 2020

Gregory2025-11-20T13:43:37+01:00

2020 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils French Wine L’Unique

Moving to the reds, the 2020 Vin De France L’Unique is a mix of varieties vinified and aged all in concrete. Lots of black raspberry and strawberry fruits as well spice and floral notes emerge on the nose, and it’s medium-bodied, has fine tannins and tons of fruit, and is just straight-up delicious. Drink it over the coming 3-4 years.

Jeb Dunnuck (10/30/2023)

JEB DUNNUCK 2019

Gregory2025-11-20T13:42:36+01:00

2019 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils French Wine L’Unique

I loved the 2019 L’Unique and this beauty is loaded with ripe raspberry and strawberry fruit notes as well as ample spice and floral characteristics. With medium to full-bodied richness, a rounded texture, and ample tannins, it’s a thrilling Vin de France that will drink beautifully for a decade or more.

Jeb Dunnuck (10/30/2023)

JEB DUNNUCK 2023

Gregory2025-11-19T15:27:45+01:00

2023 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils French Wine L’Unique

Based on 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, and the rest Cinsault, Marselan, and Merlot, the 2023 Vin De France L’Unique was vinified in concrete and aged six months in wooden tronconique tanks. Beautiful stuff, it offers mulled cherries, hints of raspberries, peppery herbs, and tons of Provençal spice. It’s medium-bodied, with a round, layered mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and a great finish. It would be a sensational house red or by-the-glass wine to drink over the coming 2-4 years. Drink 2025-2029.
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 (10/30/2023)

JEB DUNNUCK 2021

Gregory2025-11-19T15:25:49+01:00

2021 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils French Wine L’Unique

Based on Grenache, Marselan, Merlot, Mourvedre and Syrah, the 2021 Vin De France L’Unique is another impeccably made, delicious wine from this estate. It has plenty of dark cherry fruit, some herbal, peppery nuances, medium body, and a round, delicious style perfect for near-term drinking.
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 (10/30/2023)

JEB DUNNUCK 2022

manager2025-11-19T15:30:07+01:00

2022 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Vin de France L’Unique

À base principalement de Grenache, Mourvèdre et Syrah (mais il y a plein d’autres cépages dedans), le Vin De France Clinique 2022 a une couleur rubis et un nez typique des Côtes du Rhône avec des arômes de cerises noires mûres, de garrigue poivrée, de réglisse et des notes de cuir. Il est rond et moyennement corsé à corsé, avec une bouche complexe et harmonieuse et une belle finale.
Based mostly Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah (but there are plenty of other varieties in here), the 2022 Vin De France L’Unique has a ruby hue as well as a rocking Côtes Du Rhône nose of ripe black cherries, peppery garrigue, licorice, and hints of leather. It’s round and medium to full-bodied, with a layered, seamless mouthfeel and a great finish.

Jeb Dunnuck (10/30/2023)