Usseglio/Pierre Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deux Frères 2010

100 points Robert Parker: "The perfect 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Deux Freres is slightly more evolved and complex than the Mon Aieul, as odd as that seems. Having had it twice out of bottle, this wine (nearly 100% Grenache combined with a few dollops of Syrah) possesses an opaque ruby/purple color as well as a thrilling texture and monumental length (the finish lasts over 60 seconds). It-s a blockbuster, but everything is in perfect balance, and, remarkably, it comes across as the most accessible Reserve des Deux Freres made to date. This wine-s aging is completely different from its sibling-s. Sixty percent is aged in 1, 2, and 3-year-old Burgundy barrels, and the rest in small new oak barrels, but there is not a hint of new oak in the aromatics. The bouquet reveals plenty of blackberry, blueberry, and cassis fruit intertwined with notions of melted licorice, spring flowers, and that classic garrigue note that comes across as the seaweed wrapper used in sushi restaurants, nori. There is a certain smokiness that is probably attributable to the oak, and the wine has incredible depth and richness, as well as a finish that seems endless. This extraordinary Chateauneuf du Pape is another prodigious effort in this historic vintage. It should drink well for two decades or more. (Oct 2009)"

98 points Jeb Dunnuck (Rhone Report): "The limited production 2010 Réserve des Deux Frères is a thing of beauty! Possessing more Syrah than normal (30%) and aged in a combination of tank (20%), 1-year-old barrels (60%), and new barrels (20%), it offers up a spectacular array of raspberry liqueur, crème de cassis, graphite, smoke meats, licorice, and toast that leads into a full-bodied, gorgeously balanced wine that has both power and elegance. Beautifully fresh and focused, with clean acidity, a seamless texture, and masses of finely polished tannin, this knockout offering needs 4-5 years of bottle age, and will have 15-20 years or more of total longevity. (Sep 2012)"

97 points Wine Spectator: "This is special, with a very deep well of plum, fig, cassis and blackberry fruit seamlessly melded together and a nearly endless finish inlaid with Lapsang souchong tea, melted licorice snap and Turkish coffee notes. Stays very poised despite its immense weight. Hard to resist now, but it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Best from 2013 through 2030. (9/12/12)"