Raymond Usseglio Cuvee Imperiale Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone Valley, France 2020

Description

La Cuvée Imperiale is from Domaine Raymond Usseglio's oldest vines, most of them 100 years old (planted in 1901-1902.) Extremely low yields (16-18 h/h) guarantee a wine that is dense and profound. The ancient Grenache vines bring to this cuvee their finesse and elegance. Will age for dozens of years. To be carafed during the first years. Because it is bottled without any filtration, some sediment – natural and beneficial to the aging process – is possible.

 James Suckling 96 

So deep and dark, yet with such vitality and energy, this is a great Chateauneuf that’s remarkably drinkable right now. I love the exotic touch (pomegranate and mangosteen) and, in spite of the density, this has a graceful finish that glides over our palate and off into the distance. A grenache-based blend from vines planted in 1901 and 1902. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.

Tasted from the concrete tank, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale is reassuringly on form, with intricate herbal nuances overlaid on ripe purple raspberries and black cherries. Full-bodied, silky and plush, with soft tannins cushioning the lengthy finish, this should be a real beauty to enjoy over the course of two decades.

Lovely sense of purity and clarity to the forest berry fruit, with a whiff of smoke emerging with air. Medium- to full-bodied style, plenty of fruit concentration, with expressive blueberry and blackberry muddled together. Long finish, ending neat and precise. This has a fair whack of fine tannin, so give it time. Soils are mostly sand in lieux-dits Farguerol nord and Pied Long. Fermented and aged in concrete.