Domaine Pierre Usseglio - Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Première Pierre rouge 2023

Keywords : Power / Velvety / Aging potential

The wine : The power of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wrapped in a velvet texture: the Usseglio family’s Première Pierre Rouge is as appealing for its depth as for its elegance. Morello cherry, plum and blackberry form an intense dark fruit core, enriched by notes of pepper, cinnamon and fragrant Mediterranean herbs. A hint of toast from barrel ageing completes this generous palette. On the palate, the dense, velvety texture gives the wine breadth without compromising its balance. Already expressive in its youth, it can develop further complexity over fifteen years or more under good cellaring conditions. A fine Rhône red to enjoy with slow-cooked lamb shoulder or a Provençal beef stew. A superb bottle for lovers of deep, characterful wines!

Volume : 75cl

Type : Red wine

Grape varieties : 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault, 5% Clairette

AOC : Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Aging potential : Ready to drink now and can be kept until 2038

Serving temperature : 16-18°C

The estate : The Châteauneuf history of the Usseglio family dates back to 1931, the year when Francis Usseglio left Italy to settle in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and work there as a farm laborer. In 1948, he had the opportunity to farm 8 hectares of vines as a sharecropper and decided to create his own estate. His son Pierre succeeded him and continued to develop the family business. Now comprising 39 hectares, including 25 in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 6 in Lirac, 6 in Côtes-du-Rhône, and 2 in AOC Vin de France, the vineyard is now managed by Pierre's 2 sons : Jean-Pierre and Thierry Usseglio. The two brothers oversee a remarkable heritage of vines, half of which are over 65 years old, as well as a great variety of terroirs including the famous rolled pebbles but also clay-limestone and sandy soils. The estate has now become a benchmark operation in the region, and all production enjoys a very high level of quality thanks to superb work in the vineyard as well as in the cellars.