Chateauneuf du Pape 2009

Now run by Pierre Usseglio’s sons Jean-Pierre and Thierry, this domaine’s oldest Châteauneuf vines have an average age of 80 years across three plots in the lieux-dits of La Crau, Serres and Le Bedine. The 2009 vintage – a blend of 82% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 8% Cinsault and Mourvèdre – was aged in concrete tank and barrel, with a production of 44,000 bottles. Matt Walls: Very woody (not oaky) with bonfire smoke and polished woods; fine black tea, roasted spices. Lovely nose. Soft but still plenty of tannin and piercing acidity. Very straight, plenty of verve and power. Tanguy Martin: Dried fruit notes and hints of tomato leaf aromas. Structured, elegant with firm tannins and good balance. David Round: Quite a powerful nose of creamy black fruits. Concentrated, still plenty of structure, this is no fading violet. Showing well now and plenty of time in hand.

Score: 96

Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2022 - 2030 01 March 2022

The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition is an exact blend of 82% Grenache, 10% Syrah and the rest Cinsault and Mourvedre. Aged half in cement tanks and the rest in foudres, the wine displays some dusty tannins, which sometimes are an issue with this vintage, but soft berry fruit, roasted herbs and plenty of kirsch, lavender and licorice as well. It is a classic Provencal wine to drink over the next 8-10 years. One of the top estates in Chateauneuf du Pape is that of the two brothers Thierry and Jean-Pierre Usseglio. Their cellars are just north of the village, adjacent to the walls of the ruins of the pope’s palace. They have nearly 60 acres under vine, and make three cuvees of red wines in the top vintages. Their classic or traditional cuvee is made from a blend of mostly Grenache, with some Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvedre. Their mostly unoaked, tank-fermented and -aged Mon Aieul comes from very old vines (about 85 years of age) and tiny yields, while their cuvee Des Deux Freres leans in a slightly more modern direction for Chateauneuf du Pape, with 50% of it now aged in small barrels, 20% in tank, and 30% in 600-liter demi-muids.

Score: 90

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2011 - 2021 01 October 2011