Robert Parker''s Wine Advocate 30/10/2008 A star of the vintage is the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Mon Aieul. It is hard to believe how great this wine has turned out to be. I called it last year, and I’m thrilled to see how utterly profound it is. Essentially very old vine Grenache from three different terroirs (the sands of Les Serres, the clay of Guignasse, and the limestone of La Crau), aged 80% in cement tanks and 20% in old barrels, it boasts a dense plum/purple color followed by a glorious bouquet of black cherries, blackberries, truffles, lavender, licorice, and spring flowers. The color is one of the darkest of the vintage, and the wine is extremely full-bodied and rich with intense levels of extract and tannin, but the latter is gorgeously sweet and well-integrated. Still young and primary, this 2006 will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age, and drink well for 15-20. What a superlative performance from proprietors Jean-Pierre and Thierry Usseglio. This is one of the few estates where the 2006s are so great that they eclipse their brilliant 2005s, and come very close to what was accomplished in 2007. 2007 is another stunning success from brothers Jean-Pierre and Thierry Usseglio. The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Mon Aieul is one of the vintage's most majestic wines. Again, a blend of 95% old vine Grenache intermixed with 5% Syrah aged totally in tank, the wine has remarkable density, an inky bluish/purple color, and a fabulously multi-dimensional, fleshy mouthfeel with tremendous purity and depth. It displays a glorious nose of seaweed, licorice, blueberry, blackberry, sweet cherry, and lavender. A candidate for wine of the vintage, this full-bodied wine of extraordinary intensity is a true Chateauneuf du Pape elixir, will be very approachable when released next year, and should evolve for 15 or more years. (96-98)

One of the gems in the vintage is the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Mon Aieul, which in 2006 was 95% Grenache and 5% Syrah. Elegant, seamless and weightless, yet with full-bore intensity in its kirsch liqueur, garrigue and licorice-driven aromas and flavors, this sensational 2006 provides that rare mix of both hedonistic and intellectual pleasure. It’s singing today, but will keep for another decade.

Saturated red. Very complex nose displays vivid scents of raspberry, blackcurrant, olive and garrigue Deep, palate-coating red and dark berry flavors are complicated by smoky herbal and floral pastille qualities, with silky tannins adding focus. The floral notes linger seductively on the finish, which is pure, juicy and long.

100% Grenache. Musty nose but full of potent, heady fruit on the palate. Chewy tannin, warm finish. Powerful. (RH)