CDP Réserve des Deux Frères, Domaine Pierre Usseglio 2010

The limited production 2010 Réserve des Deux Frères is a thing of beauty! Possessing more Syrah than normal (30%) and aged in a combination of tank (20%), 1-year-old barrels (60%), and new barrels (20%), it offers up a spectacular array of raspberry liqueur, crème de cassis, graphite, smoke meats, licorice, and toast that leads into a full-bodied, gorgeously balanced wine that has both power and elegance. Beautifully fresh and focused, with clean acidity, a seamless texture, and masses of finely polished tannin, this knockout offering needs 4-5 years of bottle age, and will have 15-20 years or more of total longevity.

The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Deux Freres is composed of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah, and came in at 15.5% alcohol. In most vintages, this is basically the same cuvee as the Mon Aieul but with more press wine and the use of small new oak casks for aging the Syrah component. Approximately 30% stems were used in the fermentation. The 2010 is closed and nearly inaccessible at present. Full-bodied and massive with an inky/purple color, it reveals notes of smoked meats, blackberries, blueberries, flowers and subtle toast in the background. An enormous unctuosity and viscosity give the wine a palate gripping mouthfeel as the tannins are coated with glycerin. This brilliant wine needs at least 5-7 years of cellaring, and should keep for three decades thereafter.