2004 Chateauneuf du Pape

The straight 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape (90% Grenache and 5% each of Mourvedre and Cinsault) is a delicious, medium to full-bodied effort that gives up ample sweet blackberry and cherry-styled fruit, herbes de Provence and hints of gaminess on both the nose and palate. Slightly more rustic and rounded than the Cuvee De Mon Aieul, it’s a rock solid traditional cuvee that’s drinking at point. In charge at the estate since 1999, the Brothers Jean-Pierre and Thierry Usseglio produce up to three red Chateauneufs in any vintage; their classical blend, a Grenache-dominated Cuvee De Mon Aieul; and the smallest production cuvee, the Reserve des Deux Freres (which was not produced in 2004). While I generally recommend drinking their traditional cuvee in its first 6-8 years of life, this 2004, although fully mature, was drinking beautifully. This estate is at the top of its game today and needs to be on every Southern Rhone lover’s radar.