Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils - Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Part des Anges 2021

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Domain A classic Châteauneuf estate, managed since 2004 by Raymond's son Stéphane, with vines scattered all over the estate, including some very old Grenache on Pialons and Grand Pierre. The wines are as powerful and long-lasting as you'd expect. The cuvée de prestige, impériale, a small part of which is barrel-aged, is produced from old Grenache vines.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

This cuvée is an ode to the Mourvèdre grape (70%), rarely so dominant in Châteauneuf, and Stéphane Usseglio offers it the perfect setting: 100% barrel ageing, much of it new. The austerity of the grape variety in its youth is evident on the timid nose, which releases notes of black cherry and spices with aeration. Still in the making, the palate is powerful and warm, backed by solid tannins, and stretches to a long finish with flavors of candied plum and mocha. A complex, vigorous wine that should be left to breathe in the cellar.

About the domain :

Successive purchases have enabled Raymond Usseglio to increase the surface area of this Castelpapal estate, built up by his father Francis, who came from Italy in 1931 to work the land, to 33 hectares. Since 1999, the estate has been run by his only son, Stéphane. Organic and biodynamic certifications have been obtained.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

A blend of 70% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 10% Syrah, Châteauneuf du Pape la Part des Anges 2021 is the first vintage of this cuvée to be vinified in demi-muids. As a result, the cedar seems more subtle and better integrated than in previous vintages, nuancing the other aromas of crushed stone, plum and black cherry. Full-bodied, rich and velvety-textured, with an almost limitless finish, this is simply a super wine.

About the domain :

Stephan Usseglio has propelled this certified organic and biodynamic estate, which bears his father's name, into the top ranks of the region. In addition, he has continued to experiment, trying out different aging and fermentation tanks, single-varietal cuvées and blends outside the appellation boundaries to create innovative vins de France, which often offer considerable value. As part of his efforts to reduce alcohol levels, he plants clairette when he has to replace a dead grenache vine. "There's one or two degrees [of potential alcohol] less at harvest," explains Usseglio. The quality of the white wines has improved in recent vintages and has become one of the priorities of the estate, which now produces 25% white wines. There are top-of-the-range, limited-production versions of pure Clairette and Roussanne, but don't overlook the cuvée d'assemblage, which is also excellent. In 2021, Mr. Usseglio says, "We were lucky not to be hit by frost - only five hectares out of 25 were affected." Of course, he and his pickers had to avoid the same raindrops as everyone else during the harvest, but his 2021s turned out very well. In 2022, he says, "we had a good winter, then it was very dry, with small berries. With the cool nights, the vines didn't stop, and we already had some finesse at the end of August. Fermentations were rapid, malolactic was quick [and] the wines are accessible early, as in 2007". If the wines really do turn out like those of 2007, the 2022 vintage could be one of the greatest, and not just for this estate.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Dark, smoky and meaty, this is an explosively rich wine with tons of smoky bacon and spicy character. Piles of elderberries on the powerful, tannic finish. An unusual cuvée of 70% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 10% Syrah. Vinified and aged in Demi-Muid barrels, this is the only Châteauneuf from this producer to be aged in oak. Made from biodynamically-grown, Demeter-certified grapes. For drinking or cellaring.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

Composed of 70% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 10% Syrah, Châteauneuf Du Pape La Part Des Anges 2021 boasts a dense purple hue and incredibly pure, vibrant aromas of black fruits, ground pepper, spices and spring flowers, with a hint of oak in the background. A touch of barrel is present in this wine, but the purity is perfect, it's medium-bodied, with ripe tannins and a superb finish. This is a brilliant 2021 in the making.