A sleeper selection from the Usseglios is their 2005 Cotes du Rhone, which emerges from a parcel east of the appellation of Chateauneuf du Pape. It is made with 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre. The wine reveals nice berry fruit with some spice, pepper, and dusty, loamy notes. It is dark ruby, medium-bodied, fleshy, but with good acidity and light tannin. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.
Brothers Jean-Pierre and Thierry Usseglio have once again produced some of the finest Chateauneuf du Papes of the vintage, particularly in 2005. This is no small accomplishment given the fact that their 2003 cuvees were among the very finest wines of that challenging and irregular year.
Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173