The Cuvée Impériale is the jewel of Domaine Raymond Usseglio, sourced from the estate's oldest Grenache vines—planted between 1901 and 1902 on sandy soils across the great vineyards of La Crau, Pignan, and Les Escondudes. These centenarian vines produce tiny, concentrated berries with naturally low yields, giving the wine its signature depth and intensity. Raymond Usseglio made his first wine in 1949 after immigrating from Italy in the 1930s but formally established the Domaine in 1963. His son Stéphane took over in 1999 at just 22 and has since led the estate to certified organic and biodynamic farming, crafting both classic and innovative expressions of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The 2022 vintage, warm yet balanced, perfectly aligns with the strengths of the Impériale style: ripe, expressive Grenache that avoids over-extraction or oak influence, thanks to fermentation in concrete and élevage without the use of new barrels. The result is a compelling, powerful, yet refined Châteauneuf with red and black cherry, wild herbs, garrigue, and fine mineral structure. It's a benchmark traditional wine from a domaine that continues to impress, and we have a few cases at this great pricing arriving this week.

Jeb Dunnuck 96 points! "The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Impériale is just about all Grenache yet includes a mix of other permitted varieties, all raised in concrete. Playing in the medium-bodied, perfumed, elegant style of the vintage, this beauty offers an incredible perfume of sweet raspberries, spring flowers, peppery garrigue, and violets. With ultra-fine tannins, flawless overall balance, and a great finish, it's a gem in the vintage that will evolve gracefully over the coming 10-15 years. (Drink between 2024-2039)"

James Suckling 96 points! "This astonishing 2022 Chateauneuf has giant depth and concentration of black fruit aromas with notes of spices and dry earth, beneath which is a deep foundation of super-fine tannins. Very long, imposing finish with stacks of licorice and black olive character. Great aging potential. 92% grenache from vines planted in 1901 and 1902, with a small amount of white grape varieties inter-planted. Matured exclusively in concrete tanks. Bottled unfiltered. Drinkable now, but best from 2025."

John Gilman 95 points! "Stéphane Usseglio’s “Cuvée Imperiale” is his very oldest vine bottling, as this wine is composed entirely from those one hundred and twenty year-old vines! As these vines were planted in 1901 and 1902, it seems likely that there are other varieties co-planted here, as was the prevailing style back then, but the vineyard is primarily grenache. This is a touch riper than the Cuvée Girard in 2022, tipping the scales at a full fifteen percent alcohol and offering up a complex aromatic constellation of red and black raspberries, fruitcake, hickory smoke, grilled meats, a gorgeous base of soil tones, discreet notes of garrigue and a touch of celery seed in the upper register. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, ripe, pure and complex, with great depth of very old vine fruit, superb mineral undertow, firm, buried tannins, tangy acids and impeccable focus and balance on the long, complex and gently warm finish. There is just a whisper of backend alcohol here, but the wine’s balance is really quite impressive for its octane level and its complexity is stunning. Fifteen percent octane is a bit above my comfort zone, but this wine’s brilliance is undeniable, even if I could only drink a glass or so in one sitting. (Drink between 2032-2075)"