Raymond Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale 2020 (750ML)

97 WA / 96 JS / 95 DE / 93+ JD

The stunning 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale comes from old vines in two sandy parcels—one in Pied Long and one in la Crau. Exotic aromas of orange zest, Campari-like spice and exquisitely ripe cherries appear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is silky and creamy in texture yet airy and vibrant, with a long, zesty finish. It's a definite candidate for wine of the vintage, alongside its Mourvèdre-based stablemate, La Part des Anges. Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate

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. James Suckling

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. Matt Walls, Decanter

The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Imperiale is another more lifted, perfumed, almost exotic wine, and while it’s certainly a terrific wine, it’s a step back from the all-time greats from this address. Red and black fruits, candied strawberries, Asian spices, and peppery notes give way to a medium to full-bodied Châteauneuf du Pape with good mid-palate depth, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. It’s young and a little gangly at the moment, so give bottles 3-4 years in the cellar. Jeb Dunnuck