Domaine Raymond Usseglio has earned their spot as one of the top names in Chateauneuf du Pape, and their 2018 Cuveé Girard bottling is one of the great values of the vintage. Rated 93 points by both Jeb Dunnuck and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, it is a sumptuous wine with both immediate appeal and 10+ years of cellar potential.
“Readers looking for the next superstar estate in Châteauneuf du Pape and Côtes du Rhône need to get on Raymond Usseglio’s bandwagon ASAP as the quality here is equal to anything out there today.” – Jeb Dunnuck
2018 Domaine Raymond Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape ‘Cuveé Girard’
95 points Josh Spurling, 93+ points Wine Advocate, 93 points Jeb Dunnuck
To order, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
I loved the 2016 and 2017 version of this wine, but I love the 2018 even more. That’s saying something as the ’16 and ’17 were both gorgeous wines, but this one is just rocking from start to finish, and it doesn’t even need much aeration. Polished, supple, powerful, and layered, this stuff flows beautifully over the palate.
Since taking over for his father Raymond a few years back, Stéphane Usseglio has propelled this estate to new heights. He converted all of the family’s holdings to biodynamic farming and cut yields. He’s also a very skilled and intuitive winemaker. It helps that the family has some of the finest plots in all of Chateauneuf along with some of the oldest vines. The 2018 Cuveé Girard contains 80+ year old vines, and the blend is 90% Grenache with the balance in Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, and Counoise.
The top Rhone reviewers loved this one too. Jeb Dunnuck was full of praise. “Deep ruby/purple, with a meaty, powerful bouquet of black raspberries, ground pepper, cured meats, and flowery garrigue, this beauty is medium to full-bodied and has a wonderful, supple mouthfeel, silky tannins and a great finish.”
The Wine Advocate chimed in with similar remarks. Joe Czerwinski said this one offered “up hints of dried spices, earth and black cherries, but the feel on the full-bodied palate is richer and more enveloping, with a creamy-velvety texture that flows seamlessly onto the long, plush finish.”
That sure sounds good doesn’t it? Yep, trust me, it is! And it would be perfect to sip on slowly with grilled lamb chops. There are just 24 bottles available for the vintage. Don’t miss out on this wonderful wine — it will go fast!
To order, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville