2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale
Buying options
Tasting notes
Fantastic delineation of fruit both on the nose and palate with a wide spectrum of fruits from red plum, raspberry, blackberry, black cherry along with perfumed wild floral aromatics. On the palate there is a wonderful density, very layered and very pure. Tannins are nicely compact giving the wine a lovely expansive structure as the deep concentration of very pure fruit flavours flesh out the mid palate. Impressive finish and long length.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
More reviews and scores
Glistening ruby. An exotically perfumed nose evokes ripe cherry and black raspberry, and licorice and floral oil notes add complexity. Shows impressive depth as well as vibrancy and detail on the palate, offering sweet red and dark fruit, lavender and spicecake flavors supported by a spine of juicy acidity. Shows outstanding clarity and a repeating floral nuance on the strikingly long, smooth finish, which features harmonious tannins and a building mineral quality. (JR)
The 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale (from vines planted in 1902) is firm and structured to age magnificently. Roses, black tea and red raspberries all appear on the nose and palate, framed by fine-grained tannins. I suspect it will close down shortly, but there is terrific material here, and the wine will drink well for two decades.
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