2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale
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Tasting notes
A brilliant ’03 that shows the best of the vintage, the 2003 Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Imperiale, a mostly tank aged blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah from vines planted in 1902, displays perfumed, heady aromatics of kirsch and sweet red fruits, licorice, toasted spice, and hints of tar. Just screaming ripe Grenache on the nose, the wine is medium to full bodied on the palate with a smooth, integrated, yet powerful texture, loads of sweet fruit, and a focused, well defined finish. This fleshes out with air and should continue to drink well for another 5-8 years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Deep, bright red. Superripe, complex aromas of dark cherry, plum, olive tapenade, espresso, roasted herbs and tobacco. Impressively rich and concentrated, with deep dark fruit flavors and an element of roasted meat. Finishes lush, sweet and long, as much like a liqueur as like a table wine. Fans of this style will rate it even higher than I have. Undeniably a wine of the south.
This is a classic Chateauneuf du Pape, redolent of aromas of seaweed, pepper, kirsch, spice box, and beautiful fruit flavors. Incense, loamy soil notes, pepper, spice, plums, and black cherries soar from the nose of the Mediterranean smelling and tasting 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale. This is a broad, heady, expansively flavored wine with plenty of alcohol, glycerin, and rich flavors. Drink it over the next 12-15 years. Feb 2006, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Domaine Raymond Usseglio is one of the leading producers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, producing a number of different red and white cuvées from the appellation. The domaine’s most famous wine is their Châteauneuf-du-Pape Impériale, which comes exclusively from vines that are over 100 years old.
Product details
Grenache/ Garnacha , Syrah / Shiraz, Mourvedre/Monastrell/Mataro, Cinsault, Counoise
Red
Dry