2012 Raymond Usseglio "Cuvée Impériale" Châteauneuf-du-Pape
SKU #1211962
95 points
Wine Advocate
My favorite of the lineup, and one of the top Châteauneufs in the vintage, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Imperiale is 95% Grenache (5% other varieties) that comes from 100-year-old vines and the pure sand soils of the Piallon (near Rayas) and Girardette (near Charbonnière) lieux-dits. It offers awesome black and blue fruits, violets, licorice and crushed rock-like minerality in its full-bodied, balanced, pure and elegant profile. Impressively concentrated, inky colored and with sweet tannin, it’s capable of evolving for 12-15 years or more. (JD)
(10/2014)
94 points
Vinous
Opaque ruby. Potent smoke- and mineral-accented aromas of red and dark berry liqueur, cola, incense and candied lavender, with a hint of star anise emerging slowly. Suave, deeply pitched black raspberry and blueberry flavors show excellent concentration and clarity, with notes of spicecake and succulent appearing on the back half. Deftly blends power and vivacity and finishes with harmonious tannins and outstanding length. (JR)
(4/2015)
94 points
Wine Spectator
Very fleshy in feel, with loads of velvety tannins carrying gorgeous notes of warmed fig, steeped boysenberry and lightly mulled raspberry fruit. The finish is riveted together by roasted alder and leather hints, giving this extra grip and range. Best from 2017 through 2027. 100 cases imported. (JM)
(11/2015)
Jancis Robinson
Dark crimson. Treacle toffee nose. Explosive fruit on the palate. This wine certainly tastes as though it has a story to tell. Relatively 'cool' but far from skinny. Well balanced and tightly clenched. Admirable freshness but no excess acidity. 18.5/20 points. (JR)
(12/2013)
K&L Notes
From vines that are more than a century old, this blend is nearly 95% Grenache, aged entirely in concrete.
