Pierre Usséglio & Fils Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvée de mon Aïeul 2017

Discover Domaine Pierre Usseglio

Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils is one of the great names in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Founded in 1948 by Francis Usseglio, an Italian immigrant who came to work as a vineyard laborer, the estate has evolved over the generations to become an essential reference in the appellation. His son Pierre continued his father’s work by increasing the size of the vineyard, and today it’s his sons, Jean-Pierre and Thierry Usseglio, who perpetuate the family know-how by producing wines of remarkable quality.

The estate covers 39 hectares, including 24 hectares of red Châteauneuf-du-Pape and 1 hectare of white Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Added to this are 6 hectares of red Lirac, 6 hectares of Côtes-du-Rhône and 2 hectares of Vin de France. The diversity of soils, from galets roulés to sands, clays and limestones, enables Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils to produce wines of great complexity, reflecting the richness of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation.

Yields on the estate are particularly low, at between 20 and 25 hectolitres per hectare, resulting in exceptional concentration of aromas and great depth on the palate. Respect for terroir and tradition is at the heart of Jean-Pierre and Thierry Usseglio’s work: hand-picking, rigorous sorting and precise vinification help to extract the best expression from each vintage.

Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils produces five emblematic cuvées:

1. Première Pierre Rouge: This red Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. It is distinguished by a beautiful roundness, aromas of ripe red fruit and spices, and a silky structure. Aged in foudres and concrete vats, it offers great complexity and ageing potential.
2. Première Pierre Blanc: This confidential cuvée is made from clairette, roussanne and grenache blanc. Fresh and elegant, it reveals notes of citrus, white flowers and a light minerality. Partial barrel ageing gives the wine depth and a smooth texture, while retaining superb tension.
3. La Cuvée de Mon Aïeul: This exceptional Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a parcel-by-parcel selection of the estate’s oldest Grenache vines. Carefully vinified and aged in foudres and demi-muids, it expresses all the finesse and power of the terroir. The palate is rich and velvety, with intense aromas of black cherry, licorice and garrigue, and an incredibly long finish.
4. Réserve des Deux Frères: Made from the estate’s best plots, this wine is produced in very limited quantities. It combines Grenache and Syrah in a long ageing process in new barrels and casks. Concentration is exceptional, with deep notes of blackberry, dark chocolate and pepper. This wine is destined to age for a very long time, revealing itself over time.
5. Not For You: The estate’s most confidential cuvée, this is a pure Grenache from the estate’s oldest vines, matured in a resolutely modern style. Its extraordinary concentration and imposing structure make it a powerful, complex wine for lovers of exceptional wines. It develops aromas of candied black fruits, leather and spices, with an intensity that defies time.

Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils’ commitment to excellence is reflected in its meticulous winemaking process, respectful of tradition but open to innovation. Fermentation of the reds lasts between 25 and 40 days in concrete tanks, with gentle extractions to preserve the finesse of the tannins. Ageing in oak foudres and demi-muids produces wines that are both powerful and elegant, well-balanced and with great ageing potential.

The whites are harvested in the cool of the morning to preserve their liveliness. Fermentation in barrels and stainless steel vats brings complexity and purity to the wines. Regular stirring on the lees brings a silky texture and a long finish.

Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils has established itself as one of the great names in Châteauneuf-du-Pape thanks to its unwavering commitment to quality and respect for terroir. The estate’s wines are prized by wine lovers the world over and represent the excellence of the appellation. Jean-Pierre and Thierry Usseglio continue to write the family history with passion and rigor, offering wines of rare intensity that sublimate each vintage and bring honor to Châteauneuf-du-Pape.