Domaine Pierre Usseglio, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Reserve des 2 Freres 2016

A deeper, darker color compared to the Mon Aïeul, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve des Deux Freres is also 100% Grenache that was completely destemmed and brought up all in wood, with 20% being new. This cuvée is always a selection of the best lots in the cellar. Crème de cassis, blackberries, white flowers, candle wax, cured meats, street market and spice nuances all soar from the glass of this awesome wine. Deep, incredibly full-bodied, and powerful, yet also light on its feet and graceful, with elegant tannin, it's an extraordinary wine that's going to benefit from short-term cellaring and cruise for two decades.

I'm not typically a fan of Grenache aged in new, smaller oak vessels, but the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des 2 Freres works. It's 100% Grenache aged in new 300-liter barrels for 14-15 months. Vanilla and baking spices make themselves known, but this full-bodied, plush wine offers waves of Christmas cake-like flavors and unimaginable enveloping softness, balanced by decent acids and a long, supple finish. It's considerably fresher than I remember the 2015 being.

Deep shimmering ruby. A complex, intensely perfumed bouquet displays candied red and blue fruits, vanilla and exotic qualities; potpourri and dark chocolate nuances build in the glass. Sweet and expansive in the mouth, offering mineral-laced black raspberry, cherry compote, candied lavender and fruitcake flavors that show superb definition and spicy bite thanks to a late peppery flourish. Tightens up slowly on a strikingly long, floral-driven finish framed by fine-grained, steadily building tannins.