Appy Cellar Stocker Friday!

We may be all about Bordeaux today, but we’re not leaving Rhône-lôvers lônely, either.

So please wait while I extract my jaw from the floor. Today we have TWO of the best from Southern Rhone up for grabs.

Starting with…

Raymond Usseglio! A legend. A perennial stunner. A straight up satisfying, fresh, vibrant and sexy little thang, with 97 POINTS, at the best price in the globe!

This has EVERYTHING you hope for in serious examples, and then some. Hailing from some of the best sites in Chateauneuf - if you want a glimpse of Rayas type quality for a Michelob Ultra type price, we got you.

Mind you, last time we offered the 2018 vintage of this, we cut $35 off the price and today we’re taking a one-two punch to the $100 retail and knocked $45 off.

Raymond and his son Stéphane Usseglio are from smack in the middle of La Crau where they share vineyards and fame with Raymond’s brother Pierre Usseglio. Both are similar in style and have their own cult followings. If you collect prized Rhônes with no Usseglios in your stash yet, that must change today.

With the ubiquitous Xavier Vignon as consultant, they hit big scores consistently; however, as Wine Advocate points out, “the prize parcels here were planted in 1902 and go into the Cuvée Imperiale bottling” which you’re looking at! And as Jeb Dunnuck attests “this is an estate readers need to have on their radar as the quality has continued to improve in just about every vintage.”

As part of the 2021 review, Wine Advocate emphasizes that “Stéphane Usseglio has propelled this certified organic and biodynamic estate, named for his father, to among the top ranks of the region.”

It helps when you have some gnarly 123-year-old vines powering it; that “old-vine intensity shines through here, loud and clear” says the Wine Cellar Insider. The “full-bodied palate is silky and creamy in texture yet airy and vibrant” says the Advocate.

Seriously old vine Grenache grown in sandy soils delivers the goods here. Fermented and aged in concrete, which I always love - helps retain insane freshness and purity of fruit. But they coax all manner of exotic spices and windswept herbs - maybe thanks to the infamous Mistral blowing across the vines.

Wearing FAT scores like medals on a general, this superb 2021 collectible will not last.

97 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate “Stephan Usseglio has propelled this certified organic and biodynamic estate, named for his father, to among the top ranks of the region. 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. Drink 2025-2040.”

97 Points – The Wine Cellar Insider “From vines close to 120 years of age, the old-vine intensity shines through here, loud and clear. Concentrated, lush, rich and floral, the beautiful, ripe kirsch notes shine on the nose. Silky and rich on the palate, the finish, with its fresh, sweet cherries, strawberry and kirsch go on and on. The fruit displays good purity and vibrancy.”

96 Points – Fallstaff “Strong ruby colour with purple reflections, lightening to a broad ochre rim. It opens slowly with fresh red fruits of the forest, red cherry hints, delicate redcurrant, and tangerine zest. On the palate, the texture is like velvet and silk, with pleasant fruit expression carried by ripe tannins and wonderful balance. It shows great length and is a wine with charm and substance, and certain ageing potential.”