2010 Domaine Raymond Usseglio Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Imperiale

Glass-staining purple. Heady scents of spice- and floral-accented dark berries, cherry-vanilla, anise and incense, along with a smoky topnote. Lush and seamless on the palate, offering palate-staining blackberry, blueberry and floral pastille flavors. Silky tannins build on the endless finish, which leaves behind notes of blue fruit preserves, licorice and smoky Indian spices. Velvety tannins come on late but are quickly absorbed by this wine's lush, deeply concentrated fruit.

A blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 6% Syrah, and 2% each of Cinsault and Counoise (Grenache aged all in concrete and the Syrah/Mourvedre in barrel), the 2010 Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a full-bodied, rich, and slightly rustic effort that gives up plenty of red and black fruit characteristic, licorice, toasted spice, and hints of charcoal on the nose. Beautifully textured, with excellent concentration and grippy tannins coming though on the finish, it will benefit from short-term cellaring, and drink nicely for 10-12 years.