From several sites adjoining Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the 2016 Cotes du Rhone is a rich, full-bodied, super ripe blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Cinsault and 20% Mourvèdre. Brandied cherries pick up hints of chocolate on the dense, creamy-textured finish. While delicious in its own hedonistic way, it's a bit much for me, but some folks will love it.

Produced from 50-year-old vines just outside Chateauneuf-du-Pape and raised exclusively in concrete, the 2015 Cotes du Rhone offers dark, concentrated aromas of licorice, spice, plum and cola. This full-bodied, warm, spicy blend of 70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 10% Cinsault is a bit too ripe for my tastes, but it boasts supple tannins and a lingering finish.

The 2014 C?tes du Rh?ne is another rock solid effort that has plenty of charm and fruit in its medium-bodied, surprisingly ripe and textured personality. Coming from plots located around the town of Orange and a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre and 10% Cinsault, drink this soft, supple and pleasure bent effort over the coming 2-3 years.

The 2013 C?tes du Rh?ne comes from sandy soils, located around the edge of Chateauneuf du Pape, and 65-year-old vines. Made from 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault, it offers up plenty of darker berry fruits, pepper, and ground herbs to go with a soft, supple and medium-bodied style. It's a solid effort and will drink nicely over the coming 4-5 years.

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