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.
2022 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Du Pape Cuvee De Mon Aieul
The 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul is deep and concentrated, mingling aromas of spices and bay leaf with notes of dark cherries, wild dark berries and flowers. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and dense, it’s velvety and sappy with delicate, fresh tannins, bright acids and a vibrant, long, dynamic finish. This 100% Grenache Noir, planted on several parcels on galets roulés, safres and calcareous soils, macerated for 40 days and matured for 12 months in foudres, is one of the wines of the vintage at both this address and across the appellation.
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.
2023 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Du Pape Cuvee De Mon Aieul
The 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul is more vibrant and perfumed than last year, unfurling with aromas of violet, rose petals, mulberries and garrigue. Medium- to full-bodied, layered and textural, it’s concentrated yet supple, with a fleshy core of fruit framed by velvety tannins and concluding with a long, lively and ethereal finish. Crafted entirely from Grenache Noir vinified with whole clusters, it’s precise and superbly realized.
Domaine Pierre Usseglio cultivates 25 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, divided among 17 parcels on sand, clay, limestone and galets roulés. Grenache dominates the cépages, supported by Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Old vines, many between 35 and 75 years of age, provide the backbone of the domaine’s plantings, and harvesting is carried out entirely by hand. Low yields and parcel-specific viticulture remain central to the estate’s philosophy.
In the cellar, about 60% of the red fruit is destemmed. Fermentations, conducted with native yeasts under temperature control, last 25 to 35 days. Macerations are long, but extraction remains measured. Élevage occurs in a combination of concrete vats, demi-muids and older foudres, lasting 12 to 18 months, depending on the cuvée. Whites are treated to long pressing, cool fermentations and maturation on the lees to emphasize freshness and texture.
Beyond Châteauneuf, the Usseglio family has also expanded into Lirac, producing a red from Roquemaure since 2011 and, more recently, a white—half Grenache Blanc, half Clairette—both increasingly precise in execution.
2024 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Du Pape Premiere Pierre Blanc
Oaky and toasty, the 2024 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc from Domaine Pierre Usseglio reveals aromas of spices, ripe orchard fruits and flowers. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it’s layered and enveloping, with a long, oaky finish.
Domaine Pierre Usseglio cultivates 25 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, divided among 17 parcels on sand, clay, limestone and galets roulés. Grenache dominates the cépages, supported by Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Old vines, many between 35 and 75 years of age, provide the backbone of the domaine’s plantings, and harvesting is carried out entirely by hand. Low yields and parcel-specific viticulture remain central to the estate’s philosophy.
In the cellar, about 60% of the red fruit is destemmed. Fermentations, conducted with native yeasts under temperature control, last 25 to 35 days. Macerations are long, but extraction remains measured. Élevage occurs in a combination of concrete vats, demi-muids and older foudres, lasting 12 to 18 months, depending on the cuvée. Whites are treated to long pressing, cool fermentations and maturation on the lees to emphasize freshness and texture.
Beyond Châteauneuf, the Usseglio family has also expanded into Lirac, producing a red from Roquemaure since 2011 and, more recently, a white—half Grenache Blanc, half Clairette—both increasingly precise in execution.
2016 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Côtes du Rhône
Passons maintenant aux vins rouges, tous élevés en cuve. Le Côtes du Rhône 2016 arbore une robe rubis profond et un bouquet fumé de kirsch et de liqueur de mûre, d’épices et de garrigue. Texturé, moyennement corsé, pur et élégant, avec des tanins fins, il présente la qualité de nombreux Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Ne manquez pas ce vin rouge sexy, mûr et élégant.
Moving to the reds and brought up all in tank, the 2016 Côtes du Rhône sports a deep ruby color to go with a smoking bouquet of kirsch and blackberry liqueur, spice, and garrigue. Textured, medium to full-bodied, pure and elegant, with fine tannin, it’s the quality of many a Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Don’t miss this sexy, ripe, yet elegant red.
Quand on considère ce que ce domaine a accompli au cours des deux dernières décennies, il est facile d’inclure le Domaine Pierre Usseglio non seulement parmi les meilleures adresses de Châteauneuf-du-Pape, mais aussi de toute la France. Ils connaissent un succès sensationnel depuis 1998 et n’ont pas encore failli à leur réputation. Cela est particulièrement évident avec ces derniers millésimes 2016, qui sont selon moi les meilleurs vins jamais produits ici. En plus des Châteauneuf-du-Pape, le domaine produit de fabuleux Côtes du Rhône et Lirac, tous deux exceptionnels.
When you consider what this estate has accomplished over the past two decades, it’s easy to include Domaine Pierre Usseglio as not only one of the top addresses in Châteauneuf-du-Pape but in all of France as well. They have been on a sensational roll since 1998 and have yet to put a foot wrong. And that’s apparent with these latest 2016s, which I believe are the best wines ever produced here. In addition to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape releases, the estate makes a fabulous Côtes du Rhône and Lirac, both of which over-deliver.
2023 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Du Pape Reserve Des Deux Freres
Not yet bottled and based on 100% Grenache from La Crau, La Guigasse, and a small amount of old vines from La Serre, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve Des Deux Frères is a selection of old vines aged entirely in new barrels. It brings considerably more power and richness, with smoky black cherries, cured meats, licorice, and tapenade, and it shows more floral nuances with time in the glass. It’s medium to full-bodied, has a rich, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, beautifully integrated oak, and a great finish. It’s another 2006 look-alike that should need just 3-4 years of bottle age yet have 25 years of overall longevity.
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.
2023 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Vin De France L’Unique Blanc
Crushed citrus, white flowers, and a subtle hint of citrus all define the 2023 Vin Den France L’Unique Blanc, and it’s clean, crisp, and lively on the palate. It would be one heck of a delicious house white to drink over the coming year or two.
2024 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Vin De France L’Unique Blanc
Based on Clairette and Rolle, the 2024 Vin De France L’Unique Blanc is a medium-bodied, juicy, crisp white offering tart peach and subtle melon notes in a deliciously easy drinking, balanced style. It’s best enjoyed over the coming year or two. Drink 2025-2026.
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.
2022 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Vin De France L’Unique Blanc
The 2022 Vin De France L’Unique Blanc is terrific, with a floral, tangerine, and honeysuckle-driven bouquet as well a medium-bodied, clean, juicy, elegant style on the palate..
2021 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Vin De France L’Unique Blanc
Based on 60% Roussanne and 40% Clairette, the 2021 Unique Blanc is a terrific white that readers will love. I suspect it will also be a value. Light gold-hued, with lots of white peach and honeyed flower aromatics, medium body, a balanced, juicy mouthfeel, and a clean finish, it will give many a Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc a run for its money.
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.
2020 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Vin De France L’Unique Blanc
Replacing the Côtes du Rhône from previous vintages, the 2020 Vin De France L’Unique Blanc is mostly Vermentino and Clairette, and it has a classy, medium-bodied, balanced style as well as lots of white peach-like fruit. Drink this clean, elegant, incredibly versatile white over the coming year or two.
