Dark purple core with a ruby rim. Aromas of blackberry plum and cassis mix with notes of licorice lavender spice and a touch of toast on a forward inviting nose. Lush purple and black fruit are balance beautifully with ample minerality and vibrant acidity giving the wine an impression of focus and energy while still displaying a soft approachability. With nicely integrated tannins this is a wonderful release from Usseglio that is nicely approachable now and should continue to impress for another 10-15 years easily.

A gorgeous base cuvee that oozes Grenache flair, the 2010 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, and 5% Cinsault that sees no new oak, offers up hedonistic, perfumed aromas of kirsch liqueur, cassis, roasted meats, licorice, and crushed flowers on the nose. Intense and certainly well endowed, with a full-bodied, creamy texture, brilliant purity of fruit, and a supple, approachable feel, this will no doubt benefit from short-term cellaring, and shine for 10-12 years.

The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition was cropped at 23 hectoliters per hectare (overall it was a small crop in 2010) and is a blend of mostly Grenache and 20% Syrah with 80% aged in old wood foudres and 20% in small barrels. The alcohol level came in at 15.5%. Classic black raspberry black cherry garrigue and lavender notes hit the palate with considerable authority. The Syrah component provides a slightly deeper purple hue to the color than is apparent in some other vintages. The extra level of concentration due to the tiny yields has resulted in a full-bodied rich wine with super purity. It is already accessible and should keep for 10-15 years.

The 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape has entered its prime drinking window, where it will remain over the next five years. Intense tobacco, dried red fruits, cured meat and licorice are all pushed forward. Full-bodied and savory, the delicious 2010 is outlined by ripe tannins and touches the palate with sweet-tasting fruit. An elegant finish of superb length rounds it up. -- Nicolas Greinacher

This is electric, with charged-up, vivid blueberry, fig, blackberry and boysenberry fruit all drenched in pastis and toasted spice and backed by a licorice snap note that lets the finish flow on beautifully. Approachable, but no need to hurry either. Drink now through 2025. – JM

Ripe, fat, juicy fruits, great concentration of flavor with a fresh, peppery, jammy black raspberries, licorice, earth, kirsch and spice. This lush wine remains one of the top values in Chateauneuf du Pape. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/search-wine-tasting-notes/?szSearch=2010%20Usseglio%20Chateauneuf

Featuring bright, spicy red-fruit aromas, this is an exciting wine just to smell. Add in flavors of raspberry and cream, a lush texture, ample weight and a long-spice-driven finish, and you’ve got the whole package, at a realistic price. So ready and easy to drink now, it’s reasonable to question its ageability, but on the other hand, why wait?