TN: 2006 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape

WINE TALK
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  • 2006 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (11/16/2009)
    My first Usseglio - surprisingly New World in character, almost to the point of a CA Central Coast syrah, actually. Well balanced, but big - jammy, peppery nose, dark in color, substantial mouthfeel, smoked meats and black fruits on the palate, strong but relatively short finish. A good wine, just not what I expected. (91 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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ARRRRRGGGGGGHHH!!

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Yep, I stopped buying after the 2005 vintage. It seemed to me that they had gone over to the Dark Side and were shooting for a more New World approach. At one time this was a great QPR (I bought the 2005s at $25 and the 2004s at $22), but if I remember correctly the 2006s were in the $40 range on first offer. Between the price hike and the change in style, I had to say au revoir. [cry.gif]

Oh, and Todd, this wasn’t your first Usseglio, we had the 2005 the night you arrived in NYC.

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Michel, 2001 was the last vintage I purchased. Combination of style, price and one of the Usseglio brothers pouring me a corked wine and not knowing it was it for me. When you and I tasted at the Domaine this year I was not very impressed with the '07.

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Was it the one in the oddly shaped bottle that was cooked?

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No, that was the Gardine that Izzy brought. The Usseglio was the last wine at my place before we headed out to Pata Negra.

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[rofl.gif]

Love PU to extent that I consider it to be a California wine.

Generally California wineries make CA wine better than those French faux knock-offs. PU is a possible exception! [welldone.gif]

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Mike, there’s no question that it was California-esque (as my notes say as well), and in fact, if it was tasted blind, I’d be hard pressed not to guess CA Syrah.

At some point, actually, I’ll probably bring it to an event and try that out!

That said, I did enjoy the wine - it’s very well made, just not exactly what was expected from a CdP

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Todd, I agree they are very good. I’d buy more except it is a relatively steep price point for an excellent CA syrah.

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I paid $25.00 for these…

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[thumbs-up.gif] Good price (in fact a price that I would buy more). We don’t get SoCal deals on French wine here on the Central Coast. (And they don’t carry 'em at Costco).
[cry.gif]

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These were Premier Cru, baby, online.

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Todd - quit providing me with all of these facts. You may cause me to actually purchase more French wine!!! [pillow-fight.gif]

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don’t be silly! It’s CA wine made in France!

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PC currently has none in stock!!! [thankyou.gif]

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(24+ available in stock)


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Todd, you have been most helpful, but …

[For those who are listening, this is a really nice wine at a great price!]

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Todd,

my brain went in overdrive after reading your post. I quite like the 2006 basic Usseglio and I would even agree with
your 91 points. Ok, I scored it 90, but that is still inside my 3 point deviation neener

So, I never had a California wine. Does that mean that

a) I will love a lot of Californian wines ?
b) my palate is USAified ?
c) Schwarzenegger is my new best friend ?

I am puzzled and need to try some California wines soon. Bloody hell, I don´t even know a shop who has some…

Cheers
Christian

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Christian, if you are a big fan of this very wine, your palate would be pleased with some fermented grape juice from the Sunshine State, indeed.

If they are too tough to get, then no worries - you always have this wine to be your readily available and affordable option!

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Paul, what entry level CDPs have you been buying?