Usseglio/Pierre Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de Mon Aïeul 2003

97 points Robert Parker: "One of the vintage’s most profound wines, the 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul has a dense purple color as well as a glorious nose of blackberries, licorice, smoke, and some roasted meats and dried herbs. Amazingly opulent, even voluptuous, with extraordinary purity, a huge tactile impression on the palate, but not heavy by any means, this is a stunning Chateauneuf du Pape from ancient vines made with 95% Grenache and the rest Cinsault and Syrah. Production is about 8,000 bottles, and the wine is bottled after spending its entire life in epoxy-lined tanks, so what one gets is the essence of the three separate terroirs it comes from -- Les Serres, Guigasse, and La Crau. Anticipated maturity: now-2020+. (Feb 2006)"

97 points Jeb Dunnuck (Rhone Report): "Deep, layered, and rich, the 2003 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de mon Aïeul is comprised almost all of Grenache and always comes from three lieux-dits: La Crau, Guigasse, and Les Serres. Aged all in tank and showing none of the negative traits of the vintage, it has a rich, meaty bouquet of semi-mature red and black fruits, wild herbs, melted licorice, dusty minerality, and roasted beef. Full-bodied, gorgeously pure, and seamless, with solid underlying structure and a core of sweet fruit, it is a brilliant wine. I don’t see any upside to holding bottles, yet given the balance, richness, and mid-palate depth, it should continue to hold for another 5-8 years, and certainly drink nicely well past that. (Mar 2013)"

95 points Wine Spectator: "Really silky for an '03, with gorgeous raspberry ganache and cassis fruit that glides atop grilled herb, mineral and tar flavors. Long, authoritative finish shows lots of grip and fruit. A powerful yet racy wine. This really rocks. Drink now through 2025. 1,000 cases made. (11/15/05)"