Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils : La Cuvée Impériale 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of "La Cuvée Impériale" 2023 from Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils

Tasting

Appearance
This wine reveals a deep purple robe.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet is delicate and concentrated, unveiling scents of red and black berries, fresh blackcurrant and fruit compote. The whole is subtly enhanced by floral touches, pepper and black olive.

Palate
On the palate, this wine is at once powerful, dense and silky, while retaining a remarkable freshness and an airy character. It offers intense flavours of red and black fruits blended with floral and iodised notes and a hint of eucalyptus. The finish is generous, long and full of elegance.

Food and wine pairings
This cuvée pairs beautifully with grilled red meats. Its structure and complexity also make it the ideal companion for characterful dishes such as game, venison or roast wild boar.

A pure and elegant expression of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape terroir

The estate
Officially established in 1963, Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils is a historic family-run estate located in the heart of the Rhône Valley. Now led by Stéphane Usseglio since 1999, this property of Italian-French origin extends over 55 hectares, including 24 hectares dedicated to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. The estate stands out for its deep commitment to respecting ecosystems, being certified organic and biodynamic. The constant pursuit of excellence and the preservation of the pure expression of the terroirs make this property a key player in the region.

The vineyard
The grapes come from a meticulous selection of parcels named Girardette, Faguerol and Le Piallon, located within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. This distinctive terroir is characterised by sandy and safre soils, benefiting from a north-facing exposure. The vineyard is home to exceptional century-old vines, planted in 1902, which produce very low yields of around 16 hl/ha. All the vines are cultivated with the utmost respect for biodiversity and soil health, following practices certified by Ecocert, Demeter, Biodyvin and Certipaq.

Winemaking and aging
The making of "La Cuvée Impériale" 2023 begins with manual harvesting carried out at optimal maturity, followed by rigorous hand sorting on a vibrating table and partial destemming. In order to preserve the purity of the fruit and the authentic expression of the terroir without any oak influence, fermentation and aging take place entirely in traditional concrete tanks over a period of 18 months.

Grape varieties
90% Grenache Noir, 10% old traditional varieties of the appellation