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SKU: 516987
Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale Raymond Usseglio 2018 (750ML)
$119.99
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Grenache vines planted in 1901 and 1902 are the heart of Domaine Raymond Usseglio's Cuvée Imperiale, and in 2018 the wine is 95% Grenache, raised entirely in concrete tank rather than wood. Stéphane Usseglio now runs the family estate, which recently completed a new cellar on the northern edge of the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The 2018 vintage produced a more graceful, less dense version of the cuvée, but one with real freshness. The glass is a deep ruby-purple, with raspberry, blackberry and cassis woven through with violet, cracked pepper and a note of incense. The palate is medium to full, with plenty of ripe tannin, an energetic center and a long finish. Critics find it ready now, with life well into the 2030s. Serve it with grilled merguez, rosemary lamb shoulder or a slow-cooked ratatouille.
Stock & Availability
Available
Country
France
Region
Rhone
Appellation
Chateauneuf du Pape
Color
Red
Varietal
Rhone Blend
Prearrival
No
Critic Reviews
Wine Advocate
97 Points
97 Points, Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Most of the vInes for the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale were planted in 1902, mainly Grenache, with a few other scattered plants of other varieties. Full-bodied and concentrated, it boasts massive flavors of raspberries and cherries, with just enough herbal intricacies woven into the fabric of the wine to impart a sense of lightness and freshness—it positively tingles on the long, long finish. Produced from biodynamically grown fruit at yields just half the maximum permitted by the appellation (16–18 hectoliters per hectare, versus 35), it's a tremendous effort." 09/20
Jeb Dunnuck
94 Points
94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com: "A forward, charming example of this cuvee, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Imperiale is almost all old vine Grenache that was brought up in concrete tanks. It offers a ruby/purple hue as well as a beautiful perfume of raspberries, candied violets, peppery spices, and flowery incense. With medium to full-bodied richness, an elegant texture, the more moderate concentration and depth of the vintage, and outstanding length, drink this beauty any time over the coming 10-12 years." 10/20
