Raymond Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale 2021 (750ML)

97 WA / 95 JS / 93-95 JD / 94 DE / 16+ JR

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, The Wine Advocate

Very deep, smoky and meaty with an exotic twist in the nose. Then comes a stunning combination of freshness and concentration on the impeccably balanced and precise palate, where the tannins build and build at the long, structured finish. 90% grenache from vines on sandy soil with northerly exposure, planted in 1901 & 1902, with 10% of other traditional grape varieties for the appellation. Matured 100% in concrete tanks. Bottled unfiltered. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.—James Suckling

Lastly, the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Imperiale is all old vine Grenache. It sports a semi-opaque ruby color as well as sumptuous notes of black cherries, strawberries, candied violets, and Provençal herbs. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's balanced and has a ripe, layered mouthfeel, plenty of ripe tannins, and a great finish.-Jeb Dunnuck

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

Tasted blind. Ripe fruits on the nose. The palate has good fruit, chewy, taut tannins and attractive opulence. The tannins are firm and need some time to integrate but there are bags of fleshy fruit to see this integrate well. -Alistair Cooper MW, JancisRobinson