Raymond Usseglio, Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale 2015, 75cl

Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Impériale is one of the appellation’s great expressions of old-vine Grenache, produced from exceptionally low yielding vines planted in 1901 on classic galet-strewn soils.  Fermented with whole clusters and aged in concrete, it has remarkable depth, purity and intensity without ever becoming heavy - a benchmark Châteauneuf du Pape and a must for serious Rhône lovers. Superb with slow roasted lamb, côte de boeuf, venison, duck, Provençal beef stew or richly flavoured mushroom dishes. Its combination of ripe Grenache fruit, spice and freshness is particularly good with herb roasted lamb.

Domaine Raymond Usseglio has firmly established itself among the Southern Rhône’s leading estates. Third generation vigneron Stéphane Usseglio crafts wines of exceptional depth and finesse from some of Châteauneuf du Pape’s finest terroirs, including century old Grenache vines close to Château Rayas.

"The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Imperiale is undeniably one of the big successes in the vintage. A blend of 95% Grenache and 5% other permitted varieties, partially destemmed and aged all in concrete, its deep ruby color is followed by awesome notes of blackberry jam, crushed rocks, graphite, and garrigue. A big, rich, unctuous wine, it has beautiful purity, integrated acidity, building tannin, and a great, great finish. I wouldn’t touch bottles for another 4-5 years, but it’s a tour de force in Grenache I wish every reader could taste!  Drink 2022+.

This is an estate readers need to have on their radar as the quality has continued to improve in just about every vintage."  Jeb Dunnuck