97 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "The stunning 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale comes from old vines in two sandy parcels—one in Pied Long and one in la Crau. Exotic aromas of orange zest, Campari-like spice and exquisitely ripe cherries appear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is silky and creamy in texture yet airy and vibrant, with a long, zesty finish. It's a definite candidate for wine of the vintage, alongside its Mourvèdre-based stablemate, La Part des Anges. Drink: 2025-2040. (9/29/23)"
95 points James Suckling: "Very deep, smoky and meaty with an exotic twist in the nose. Then comes a stunning combination of freshness and concentration on the impeccably balanced and precise palate, where the tannins build and build at the long, structured finish. 90% grenache from vines on sandy soil with northerly exposure, planted in 1901 & 1902, with 10% of other traditional grape varieties for the appellation. Matured 100% in concrete tanks. Bottled unfiltered. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. (5/22/23)"
93-95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Lastly, the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Imperiale is all old vine Grenache. It sports a semi-opaque ruby color as well as sumptuous notes of black cherries, strawberries, candied violets, and Provençal herbs. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's balanced and has a ripe, layered mouthfeel, plenty of ripe tannins, and a great finish. (11/11/22)"
94 points Matt Walls (Decanter): "Lovely sense of purity and clarity to the forest berry fruit, with a whiff of smoke emerging with air. Medium- to full-bodied style, plenty of fruit concentration, with expressive blueberry and blackberry muddled together. Long finish, ending neat and precise. This has a fair whack of fine tannin, so give it time. Soils are mostly sand in lieux-dits Farguerol nord and Pied Long. Fermented and aged in concrete. Drinking Window: 2025-2036. (Oct 2022)"
94 points Nicolas Greinacher (Vinous): "The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Impériale Vignes Centenaires stands out from the crowd. It is made from older than 120 years vines and harvested at miniscule yields of 16 – 18 hL/Ha. Precise aromatics soar from the glass: crushed violets, red cherry, raspberry, strawberry, exotic spices, dried lavender and a deliciously ferrous twist which I’ve also discovered in their 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Made almost entirely from Grenache and aged in concrete vats, this energetic, full-bodied red is marked by a firm tannic structure as well as excellent purity, showing great persistence on the savory finish. Drink: 2027-2041. (Jun 2023)"
95 points James Suckling: "Very deep, smoky and meaty with an exotic twist in the nose. Then comes a stunning combination of freshness and concentration on the impeccably balanced and precise palate, where the tannins build and build at the long, structured finish. 90% grenache from vines on sandy soil with northerly exposure, planted in 1901 & 1902, with 10% of other traditional grape varieties for the appellation. Matured 100% in concrete tanks. Bottled unfiltered. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. (5/22/23)"
93-95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Lastly, the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Imperiale is all old vine Grenache. It sports a semi-opaque ruby color as well as sumptuous notes of black cherries, strawberries, candied violets, and Provençal herbs. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's balanced and has a ripe, layered mouthfeel, plenty of ripe tannins, and a great finish. (11/11/22)"
94 points Matt Walls (Decanter): "Lovely sense of purity and clarity to the forest berry fruit, with a whiff of smoke emerging with air. Medium- to full-bodied style, plenty of fruit concentration, with expressive blueberry and blackberry muddled together. Long finish, ending neat and precise. This has a fair whack of fine tannin, so give it time. Soils are mostly sand in lieux-dits Farguerol nord and Pied Long. Fermented and aged in concrete. Drinking Window: 2025-2036. (Oct 2022)"
94 points Nicolas Greinacher (Vinous): "The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Impériale Vignes Centenaires stands out from the crowd. It is made from older than 120 years vines and harvested at miniscule yields of 16 – 18 hL/Ha. Precise aromatics soar from the glass: crushed violets, red cherry, raspberry, strawberry, exotic spices, dried lavender and a deliciously ferrous twist which I’ve also discovered in their 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Made almost entirely from Grenache and aged in concrete vats, this energetic, full-bodied red is marked by a firm tannic structure as well as excellent purity, showing great persistence on the savory finish. Drink: 2027-2041. (Jun 2023)"
| Product SKU | 348252 |
| Producer | Usseglio/Raymond |
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhône |
| SubRegion | Southern Rhône |
| Appellation | Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
| Varietal | Rhone Blends - Red |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| Blend | 90% Grenache, 10% various other varieties |
| ABV | 15.0% |
| Ships To |
