Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils : Les Apôtres 2022

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Les Apôtres 2022 from Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils

Tasting notes

Colour

The colour is dense and deep, with ruby highlights, reflecting the concentration characteristic of this complex Châteauneuf-du-Pape blend.

Nose

The nose reveals a rich, layered aromatic profile, combining wild black fruits and ripe red fruits with floral notes of rose and lavender. Spicy touches of pepper and cardamom mingle with nuances of garrigue herbs, complemented by a mineral hint reminiscent of graphite.

Palate

The palate is full and structured, carried by fine tannins and a vibrant acidity that brings freshness to the whole. Flavours of red and black fruits extend into notes of liquorice, truffle and garrigue, leading to a long finish accented by balsamic touches and almond.

Food and wine pairing

This Châteauneuf-du-Pape is ideally paired with rich red meats, such as a cut of beef, but also lends itself to more original pairings, such as a vegetable and chickpea tagine, or dishes made with anchovies.

Serving and cellaring

Les Apôtres 2022 benefits from being decanted about an hour before serving, in order to fully reveal its aromatic complexity.

A Red Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blended from Thirteen Grape Varieties

The estate

Founded in 1963 by Raymond Usseglio in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, in the Rhône Valley, Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils is now run by Stéphane Usseglio, the third generation of the family. The estate, certified organic and then biodynamic (Demeter and Biodyvin), extends mainly across the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, complemented by plots in Côtes du Rhône and IGP. The estate is distinguished by its respect for its terroir and by the creation of rare cuvées, as exemplified by this one.

The vineyard

This cuvée comes from plots located within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, with Grenache as the dominant variety, complemented by other grape varieties permitted in the appellation. Farmed biodynamically, the vineyard benefits from a mosaic of terroirs, combining limestone soils and the rolled pebbles typical of the southern Rhône, favouring a refined and diverse expression of the different grape varieties.

The vintage

The 2022 vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape unfolded in a hot, very sunny climate, with early harvests. The result was grapes of fine ripeness and a generous alcohol potential for the appellation's red wines.

Winemaking and ageing

For the production of this cuvée in 2022, the grapes were harvested and then destemmed by hand, berry by berry, before a long fermentation on the skins in terracotta amphorae. Ageing then continues in the same amphorae for several months, without filtration, in order to preserve the purity and definition of the wine.

Grape varieties

The blend of Les Apôtres 2022 is based mainly on Grenache, complemented by other grape varieties permitted in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, including Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Counoise among the red varieties, as well as various white varieties such as Bourboulenc, Clairette and Roussanne.