This estate also produces a fantastic Cotes du Rhone and Lirac. The 2012 Cotes du Rhone (80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre aged all in concrete) is a big, fruit-loaded effort that’s loaded with character. Big berry fruit, licorice, ground herbs and hints of pepper and flow to a medium to full-bodied, supple and beautifully textured wine that has fresh acidity and a clean finish. It will impress for 3-5 years. Drink now-2018. An estate that continues to churn out outstanding wine after outstanding wine, regardless of the vintage, Domaine Pierre Usseglio is obviously in fine hands with brothers Jean-Pierre and Thierry Usseglio running the show. Covering roughly 55 acres in the appellation, they normally produce three Chateauneuf du Papes: a traditional made cuvee that’s roughly 75% Grenache and the rest Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault; a Grenache dominate Cuvee De Mon Aieul that’s aged in concrete tank; and their top Reserve des Deux Freres, which normally includes some Syrah and sees a small portion in new oak barrels. There was only one Chateauneuf du Pape produced in 2011, and no Reserve des Deux Freres in 2012. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173