Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils
Domaine USSEGLIO is a family-run business. Its creation dates back to 1948. That year, grandfather Francis USSEGLIO left Italy to come and work in CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE as a vineyard worker. His very first crop came off the press in 1949.
Later, his son Pierre took over and increased the size of Domaine Pierre Usseglio. Today it extends over 39 hectares, 24 hectares of red Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 1 hectare of white Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 6 hectares of red Lirac, 6 hectares of Côtes-du-Rhône and 2 hectares of Vin de France, which are managed by Pierre’s 2 sons: Jean-Pierre and Thierry Usséglio.
Half the vines are over 65 years old, the other half in their forties. Yields are very low, around 20 to 25 hectolitres per hectare, depending on the vintage. Harvesting is still done by hand and sorting remains selective. The grapes are de-stemmed and vatting lasts 25 to 30 days.
The wines are then aged 50% in oak barrels for 12 months and 50% in concrete vats. The result is powerful, round wines with pronounced aromas of red fruits and spices.
The best time to drink them is between 5 and 10 years, depending on taste and vintage.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape red goes well with meats, dishes in sauce and the tastiest cheeses.
Pierre Usseglio Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red
Grape varieties: 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Cinsault and 5% Mourvèdre.
Age of vines 35 and 75 years old
Terroir: Sand, clay, limestone and rolled pebbles
Destemming:60% of the bunches are destemmed.
Yield: 30 hl per hectare
Aging: The wines are aged in oak barrels, 1/2 muids, concrete vats and barrels for a period of 12 months.
Press awards: Rated 94/100 in 2019 by Jeb Dunnuck.
Pierre Usseglio "Cuvée Mon Aïeul"
Grape varieties: 100% Grenache
Age of vines 70 to 90 years old
Terroir: Sand, clay, limestone and rolled pebbles
Destemming : The bunches are not destemmed.
Yield: 25 hl per hectare
Aging: The wines remain in concrete vats to obtain an expressive fruitiness.
Press awards: Rated 100/100 in 2016 by Jeb Dunnuck.
Pierre Usseglio "Cuvée Réserve des Deux Frères"
Grape varieties: 100% Grenache
Age of vines 70 to 90 years old
Terroir: stony and sandy
Destemming : The bunches are destemmed
Output: 25 hl/h
Ageing: 50% of the wine is kept in demi-muids and 50% in new barrels of 2 to 3 wines.
Press awards: Rated 100/100 in 2007,2016 and 2019 by Jeb Dunnuck.
Pierre Usseglio "Cuvée Le Clos 18"
Grape varieties: 18 varieties
Age of vines 7 years old
Terroir: Rounded pebbles
Destemming: All bunches destemmed
Yield: 32hl
Aging: The wine is aged in amphorae for 12 months and then bottled.
Press awards: Rated 91/100 in 2018 by Jeb Dunnuck.