2009 Domaine Pierre Usseglio, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, de Mon Aieul

Another wine that got better and better over the evening was the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul. I've drunk through my fair share of bottles of this over the past few years. It has never shut down and has always shown well. A ripe, forward and sexy wine, it has lots of kirsch, garrigue, exotic spice and floral notes to go with a ripe, concentrated feel on the palate. It certainly has the vintage's Provencal character and is an exuberant, hedonistic Grenache to enjoy over the coming 10-12 years. Drink 2015 - 2027.

Jeb Dunnuck (eRobertParker.com, Sept 2015)

Full ruby. Intense black raspberry and mulberry aromas are complicated by suggestions of Asian spices, licorice and musky herbs. Bright and sappy on the palate, with a seamless texture to the spice-accented red and dark berry compote flavors. Notes of lavender and allspice carry through the long, juicy, nicely focused finish. I suspect that this wine will drink well on the young side.

Still aging nicely, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul is showing some bricking at the rim. Hints of leather, dried spices and licorice accent notes of dried cherries, dates and figs. Full-bodied and silky-textured, it finishes with traces of warmth that will likely become more prominent as the wine ages further.