Domaine Usseglio Raymond & Fils Cuvee Imperiale CDNP

While up to 13 different grape varietals can be blended together in making Chateauneuf du Pape red wine, the Domaine Raymond Usseglio CNDP Cuvee Imperiale is composed almost entirely of very old vine Grenache (90-plus percent in most vintages). The grapes for this tremendous and age-worthy red are harvested from estate vines in the Chateauneuf du Papes holdings of the Domaine - most of which are more than a century old and were originally planted in 1902.

The 2017 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Imperiale (from vines planted in 1902) is firm and structured to age magnificently. Roses, black tea and red raspberries all appear on the nose and palate, framed by fine-grained tannins. I suspect it will close down shortly, but there is terrific material here, and the wine will drink well for two decades.96 Points, Robert Parker