2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale
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Tasting notes
The 2021 Cuvée Impériale is notably elegant. There is fantastic vibrancy and freshness but this wine is far from light. The clarity and purity of fruit is exceptional – no doubt helped by the severe sorting which took place following harvest. This is medium bodied with rich strawberry fruit flavours, light grilled herbal notes and a chalky, saline minerality on the long finish. The tannins are velveteen and beautifully integrated. One of the longest-lived wines made in Châteauneuf, the 2021 will be one vintage you can start to enjoy in the relative short term after three to four in bottle. Excellent.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Impériale Vignes Centenaires stands out from the crowd. It is made from older than 120 years vines and harvested at miniscule yields of 16 – 18 hL/Ha. Precise aromatics soar from the glass: crushed violets, red cherry, raspberry, strawberry, exotic spices, dried lavender and a deliciously ferrous twist which I’ve also discovered in their 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Made almost entirely from Grenache and aged in concrete vats, this energetic, full-bodied red is marked by a firm tannic structure as well as excellent purity, showing great persistence on the savory finish.
Lastly, the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Imperiale is all old vine Grenache. It sports a semi-opaque ruby color as well as sumptuous notes of black cherries, strawberries, candied violets, and Provençal herbs. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's balanced and has a ripe, layered mouthfeel, plenty of ripe tannins, and a great finish.
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