Usseglio/Pierre Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve des Deux Frères 2003

98 points Robert Parker: "The limited cuvee 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Deux Freres, which is aged 40% in tank and 60% in one-, two-, and three-year-old barrels as well as large demi-muids, is essentially the same as Mon Aieul, but additional press wine is added. This beefs the wine up to an even more extraordinarily concentrated character. This is another of the Chateauneuf du Papes of the vintage, a wine of remarkable length and prodigious levels of richness. It is no wimpy wine at 16.5% alcohol, but you would never know that from tasting it. Dense purple to the rim, with a huge nose of scorched earth, blackberry and blueberry liqueur, creme de cassis, roasted meat juices, and a hint of Provencal herbs interwoven with licorice and a touch of balsamic, it is voluptuously textured, with striking body, low acidity, and amazing concentration. This fabulous bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape should drink well for 20+ years. (Feb 2006)"

96 points Jeb Dunnuck (Rhone Report): "A spectacular wine that seems to be on a relatively fast evolutionary track, the 2003 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve des Deux Freres sports knockout aromatics of blackberry liqueur, plum, roasted meats, beef blood, and licorice-infused herbs. There.s fantastic complexity and the wine evolves over the evening, gaining freshness, depth and overall richness. Truly stunning on the palate, it is full bodied with a gorgeously smooth, balanced texture, a rocking mid-palate and a very long, exceptional finish that seems to go on and on... (Aug 2010)"

94 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Dark ruby-red. Powerful, strongly scented and exotic on the nose. Raspberry and dark chocolate aromas are complicated by mace and a wild note of blood orange. Creamy red and dark berry flavors are enlivened by tangy minerals, with the wine's tannins fully absorbed. The orange and chocolate qualities linger on the long, spicy finish. This would be great with a chocolate-based mole sauce. (Dec 2008)"

93 points Wine Spectator: "[$220 list] Toast dominates right now, though this has alluring spice, black cherry, mocha and plum sauce flavors followed by a long, vibrant, minerally finish. Beautifully sculpted and has lots in reserve, but seems more like power for power's sake, with the toast really dominant. The Cuvée de mon Aïeul is the smart buy... 500 cases made. (11/15/05)"