Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Cuvee La Part des Anges Chateauneuf Du Pape 2023

Cellar for up to 20 years. Decant for up to an hour before serving. In 1999, a 22-year-old Stéphane Usseglio took the reigns at Domaine Raymond Usseglio. The domaine is a Rhone Valley institution, officially founded in 1964 by Stéphane’s parents Raymond and Danielle. The estate mostly sources its grapes from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, where 18 hectares of vineyard are grown in all. A variety of methods are employed to produce a beautiful selection of cuveés, from concrete tank fermentation to clay amphorae. Stéphane oversaw the estate's transition to biodynamic farming, and Domaine Raymond Usseglio has been fully certified since 2015. “La Part des Anges” is a Mourvedre-led red blend, with a rich smokey bouquet of cedar, liquorice and violet. The wood and spice elements that are so prominent on the nose come from ageing in new oak barrels. Grenache makes up 20% of the blend, and Syrah 10%. In the mouth, it is juicy and fresh, with notes of redcurrant, cranberry, and black stone fruits, such as plum. There are hints of citrus fruit and saline on the pleasant finish. “La Part des Anges” will go extremely well with some spiced vegetable dishes, such as stuffed peppers, Moroccan tagine, or alternatively, a simple grilled steak.

Price: £55.22 from 8wines UK