CDP Réserve des Deux Frères, Domaine Pierre Usseglio 2006

The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Deux Freres is one of the two or three finest wines of the vintage. The quintessential Chateauneuf du Pape, made from 100% old vine Grenache aged in one-, two-, and three-year-old small barrels and larger demi-muids, has a black/bluish color and a remarkably aromatic nose of scorched earth, ground pepper, smoked herbs, meat juices, and oodles of blackberry, cassis, and sweet cherry fruit. A wine of extraordinary intensity, density, and power, but with sweet tannin and relatively low acidity, this wine will be approachable in 2-3 years and last for at least 20-25. These are marvelous wines. This estate has been on an outrageous run of successful vintages ever since 1998, no small thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the two brothers, Jean-Pierre and Thierry Usseglio. For them 2005 is a very structured, concentrated, powerful vintage that will require significant cellaring. Their 2006s are among the great successes of that vintage, much more charming and up-front than the 2005s, but concentrated.

Inky ruby. Extremely powerful, compellingly complex bouquet of dark berry liqueur, kirsch, lavender perfume, black olive, pipe tobacco and cured meat. Completely saturates the palate with deep, sweet black and blue fruit flavors along with notes of cola, olive and succulent herbs. Almost too big for the mouth, and yet there's no excess fat, rough edges or heaviness. In fact, this is graceful. Finishes with remarkable clarity, breadth and persistence.