2020 Domaine Raymond Usseglio Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Imperiale
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Tasting notes
From a parcel of vines planted in 1902 (almost entirely Grenache but with a few other varieties sprinkled throughout), the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale is aromatically complex, with hints of piney, resinous herbs, rose petals, stone fruit, cherry and pomegranate. Full-bodied, the wine seems supple at first, but then tannins rise on the finish, turning it dry and dusty. Give it time. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.
Critic scores
James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The classic 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape is outstanding, revealing textbook aromatics of darker berry fruits, pepper, and some garrigue. This medium-bodied, balanced, utterly delicious effort should put a smile on any Southern Rhône lover out there. It should develop more complexity with 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for 10-12 years. 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.
90% Grenache, 10% blend of oldest vines including Counoise, Cinsault, Terret Noir and Clairette Blanche. Full, fleshy, rounded and succulent wine with some juicy fruit, strawberry and raspberry. Some heat on the finish. Bright acidity. A Châteauneuf with impeccable balance between ripeness, freshness and structure. Finishes with a mineral twang. (AWH)
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.