Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Cuvee Imperiale Chateauneuf Du Pape 2023

Cellar for up to 20 years. Decant for up to an hour before serving. Officially founded in 1964, but with a family legacy going back to 1948, Domaine Raymond Usseglio is one of the Rhone Valley's most stalwart estates. It is currently under the leadership of Stéphane Usseglio, a third-generation wine-maker who took over operations at age 22. Stéphane has overseen the winery's transition to biodynamic farming, and since 2015, Domaine Raymond Usseglio has been fully certified as organic. Stéphane prefers to use concrete vats to ferment his wines. Of the estate’s cuvée’s, their definitive Châteauneuf-du-Pape blend and this, the “Impériale”, are aged entirely in concrete. “Impériale” is a Grenache-based red blend, packed with floral scents of roses, ripe raspberry, cherry, thyme and exotic spices. The fruits are sourced from old vines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, planted as far back as 1901. 15% alcohol is not to be shrugged at, but there is no perceptible heat. Instead, the palate is saturated with delectable fruits, red forest berries and cherry cola, all underpinned by peppery herbs and a solid earthiness. The finish is rich and juicy, topped with a vegetal, lavender note. Pair “Impériale” with thyme-infused lamb, beef stew or a veggie casserole.

Price: £55.18 from 8wines UK