At a glance

Producer

Domaine Raymond Usseglio

Region

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France

Grape variety

Grenache (majority, with field blend of all 13 permitted Châteauneuf-du-Pape grapes)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Bone Dry

Typical price

€65-€110 (release price estimate, premium allocation, varies by market)

Tasting profile

Dense black fruit, blueberry, black cherry, Provençal herbs, licorice, subtle wildflower notes, marked oak influence and youthful intensity; tannins dominate aromatics as of 2024

Evolution: Primary fruit, spicy and savory herbal evolution, integration of oak and garrigue; softening tannins, increasing complexity after 7-10 years

At peak: Layered, velvet-textured, opulent red and black fruits, aged leather, earthy/truffle, dried violet, sweet spice, silky yet powerful finish; highest aromatic complexity at 12-25 years

Structure

Acidity

Medium-plus; maintains freshness typical for top Châteauneuf

Tannins

High, firm, ripe but dense; built for long aging

Alcohol

Approx. 15-15.5% ABV (typical for vintage and cuvée)

Aging potential

Exceptional (20-30+ years in proper conditions)

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2032 to 2040

Optimal window

2028 to 2043

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Primary, powerful, structured, closed but promising; high extract and tannin, currently for cellaring only

The wine is built from centenarian Grenache vines, typically whole-cluster fermented and powerfully structured. Early years emphasize extract and tannin, with aromatic evolution and integrated texture developing after 7-10 years. The best bottles peak in the second and third decade after harvest, retaining tertiary depth and complexity.

Food pairing

Herb-crusted lamb, braised venison, wild mushroom dishes, duck confit, hard aged cheeses (Comté, Manchego), grilled vegetables with Mediterranean herbs.

Serving

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — The wine has high, firm tannins and is built for long aging, which suggests it would benefit from decanting to soften the tannins and enhance its aromatic profile.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 9/10

No synthetic pesticides/herbicides; composting, cover-cropping, horse-drawn plowing; native yeast fermentations; solar panels on estate; water recycling and rainwater harvesting; lightweight, recycled glass packaging since 2020; cork sourced from FSC forests

Domaine Raymond Usseglio ranks among the Rhône’s leaders for sustainability: certified organic and biodynamic for a decade, they employ minimal SO2, avoid all synthetic inputs, and rely on traditional, renewable farming with a focus on biodiversity, soil health, energy self-sufficiency, and reduced packaging impact. Global exports incur standard shipping footprint but are partially offset via eco-design and green energy on-site. Sustainability transparency is strong, with third-party verification and ongoing improvements.