2012 Domaine Raymond Usseglio Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Imperiale
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Tasting notes
Opaque ruby. Potent smoke- and mineral-accented aromas of red and dark berry liqueur, cola, incense and candied lavender, with a hint of star anise emerging slowly. Suave, deeply pitched black raspberry and blueberry flavors show excellent concentration and clarity, with notes of spicecake and succulent appearing on the back half. Deftly blends power and vivacity and finishes with harmonious tannins and outstanding length.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
More reviews and scores
The 2012 classic Châteauneuf du Pape has plenty of darker fruits, truffle, underbrush and peppered meat qualities to go with a medium-bodied, rounded, yet mouth-filling and classic feel on the palate. It will drink nicely for over a decade.
Vineyard soil: galets, sand, clay-limestone. 30% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, 30% Roussanne, 10% Bourboulenc. Greeny pale straw. Lots of green-fruit flavours and a little simple on the end. Finishes quite suddenly. (JR)
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.