The Raymond Usseglio domaine is one of the top-producing estates in Chateauneuf du Pape. The estate was originally created by Francis Usseglio who moved to the Rhone from Italy in 1931 and started producing his own wine in 1948. He was succeeded in 1963 by his son Raymond Usseglio who enlarged the area, now bearing his own name, with the help of his mother Danielle.

In 1999, Raymond’s son Stephane took over the domaine and is in now in charge of its operations, cultivating 60 acres, 40 of which are in Chateauneuf du Pape, 12 in Cotes du Rhone, and 7 classified as IGP. The estate practices sustainable and biodynamic farming techniques.

Imperiale is sourced from the estate’s oldest vineyards, majority of which are planted in 1901 and 1902. Yields are extremely low, ensuring a dense and deep wine. The old Grenache vines contribute finesse and elegance so this wine can age for decades.

The 2019 Domaine Raymond Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale is a noteworthy wine from the Southern Rhone region of France. This red wine, primarily composed of Grenache (with about 5% other varieties), showcases the skill and heritage of Domaine Raymond Usseglio, a producer with a reputation for crafting compelling wines.

The wine has garnered significant praise from multiple reviewers, highlighting its quality and potential. Jeb Dunnuck describes it as "almost all Grenache" and likens it to a "great Gevrey-Chambertin with its darker red and black fruits, peppery herbs, earth, and flowery incense." He notes its "medium to full-bodied richness" and "ripe tannins," suggesting it will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and has the longevity to last upwards of two decades. Dunnuck awards it a commendable 95+ points.

Vinous, through the words of Josh Raynolds, also rates the wine at 95 points, emphasizing its "highly perfumed raspberry and cherry liqueur" aromas, accompanied by "exotic spice, incense, and potpourri." Raynolds appreciates its "juicy, seamless and energetic" palate, highlighting flavors such as "red berry, cherry cola, allspice, and lavender" with a long, polished finish.

James Suckling offers the highest praise with a score of 96 points, calling it "deep, spicy and fragrant" with "remarkably fine tannins and floral delicacy." He emphasizes the wine's biodynamic origins and the age of the Grenache vines, which were planted in 1901 and 1902.

Jeff Leve of TheWineCellarInsider.com also awards 96 points, describing it as "deep, rich, dark" and packed with "notes of roses, kirsch, cherries, spice, and thyme." He highlights the wine's intensity and concentration, while noting the absence of heat despite its 15% alcohol content.

Other reviewers, including Wine Spectator and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, provide slightly lower scores of 92 points but still acknowledge the wine's quality. Wine Spectator calls it "textbook" with a mix of "kirsch and raspberry notes," while Robert Parker's Wine Advocate notes its "intricate herbal nuances" and "cherry-like" palate, though hints at a tighter, less generous profile at this stage.

In summary, the 2019 Domaine Raymond Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale is a highly regarded wine with strong reviews across the board, praised for its complexity, balance, and aging potential.