2007 Pierre Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, October 2008 Made from the same blend as the 2006, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape possesses a dense ruby/purple hue as well as wonderfully sweet aromas of blue and black fruits, underbrush, truffles, incense, and garrigue. It is full-bodied, opulent, fleshy, powerful and substantial in the mouth. The Usseglios told me they had a couple of lots that went into this wine that hit nearly 17% natural alcohol! This was not caused by spiking high temperatures (which the Southern Rhone did not experience in 2007), but rather by the extraordinarily low yields and severe drought conditions that existed from spring through the end of September.    90-93 points