2021 Domaine Raymond Usseglio Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Parte des Anges
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Tasting notes
The Usseglio team has moved away from the use of oak in their quest for fruit purity and freshness in their wines, but this is one of the few that is aged in oak (a combination of barrique and Stockinger, with 30% new). A rare Châteauneuf-du-Pape dominated by Mourvèdre (70%), with 20% Grenache and 10% Syrah, this is totally different to the Cuvée Impériale – instantly more savoury, rich and intense, with the dark and spicy Mourvèdre shining through. It’s firm and solid in comparison to the sleeker Impériale, yet still plush on the mid-palate, tightened up by grippy tannins that form a textured framework for the bramble fruit. Dense and impressive, this needs time in bottle before broaching – try from 2027.
Critic scores
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
More reviews and scores
A blend of 70% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 10% Syrah, the 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape la Part des Anges is the first vintage of this cuvée to be vinified in demi-muids. The cedar seems more subtle and better integrated than past vintages as a result, adding nuance to the other aromas of crushed stone, plums and black cherries. Full-bodied, rich and velvety in texture, with a near-limitless finish, this is simply super stuff.
Based on 70% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache, and 10% Syrah, the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Part Des Anges sports a dense purple hue to go with incredibly pure, vibrant aromatics of black and blue fruits, ground pepper, spice, and spring flowers, with a kiss of background oak. There's always a touch of barrique in this wine, yet the purity is spot on, it's medium to full-bodied, has ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. It's a brilliant 2021 in the making. I found the 2020 reds from Raymond Usseglio to be a little lifted and difficult to read. These will hopefully come together with a year or two in bottle and justify the lofty barrel reviews. The same can’t be said about the white, however. These showed brilliantly, with the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Pure Roussanne unquestionably one of the top whites in the vintage.
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.