Domaine Raymond Usseglio Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Part des Anges 2019
-
James
Suckling -
Wine
Spectator -
Robert
Parker
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Late ripening and capricious, Mourvedre is certainly one of the most exacting varietals grown in the South of France, especially when it is situated, as here, at the northern limit of its growing region. This cuvee benefits from a rather unique elevage in order to complement the powerful tannins of the varietal.
When the wine is put in barrel for the elevage, and part of its volume evaporates, we call it La Part des Anges (The Angels’ Share.) La Part des Anges is a unique cuvee for a Chateauneuf-du-Pape because the Mourvedre dominates the blend at 70%, complemented by 20% Grenache and a little Syrah (10%.)
Count on carafing if you wish to drink this cuvee before its first 2-3 years of laying down. Because it is bottled without any filtration, some sediment – natural and beneficial to the aging process – is possible.
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
An unusual and impressive Chateauneuf-du-Pape with a slew of elderberries and a licorice character. Enormous structure and concentration, the full tannins are already well integrated. The depth at the fundamental finish suggests this needs a lot more time to reach its best. A blend of 70% mourvedre, 20% grenache and 10% syrah. From Demeter-certified biodynamically grown grapes.
-
Wine Spectator
Ripe and lush, with waves of dark currant, crushed plum and warmed fig backed by a graphite spine for form, while Turkish coffee, ganache and warm earth hints fill in on the finish. Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Based on Mourvèdre (70%) and aged largely in new barriques (80%), Usseglio's 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape la Part des Anges comes across as a cedary, vanilla-laden oak monster backed by dark fruit. It's full-bodied and tannic, including a hefty dose of wood tannins. While I have a good deal of faith in this producer, tasted blind, I'm not entirely sure if this will ultimately pull itself together. Rating: 93+
The property, originally started by Raymond Usseglio, covers 16 ha of AOC Chateauneuf du Pape, one of which is planted with white varieties and 5 ha of Cotes du Rhone and 3 ha of IGP. Stephane Usseglio, son of Raymond, is the third generation to take over. He is pushing to reach the potential of the family’s holdings, some of the best of Chateauneuf. Half his vines are situated near the road in the lieu-dit "La Crau" and the other half on the hill across the road from the actual ruins of the new castle of the Pope. He has the good fortune to have very old vines. The average age for his Chateauneuf vines is between 50 & 60 years old and the cuvee Imperiale vines are over 110 years old. The domain started conversation into agriculture biologique in 2012.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Famous for its full-bodied, seductive and spicy reds with flavor and aroma characteristics reminiscent of black cherry, baked raspberry, garrigue, olive tapenade, lavender and baking spice, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the leading sub-appellation of the southern Rhône River Valley. Large pebbles resembling river rocks, called "galets" in French, dominate most of the terrain. The stones hold heat and reflect it back up to the low-lying gobelet-trained vines. Though the galets are typical, they are not prominent in every vineyard. Chateau Rayas is the most obvious deviation with very sandy soil.
According to law, eighteen grape varieties are allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and most wines are blends of some mix of these. For reds, Grenache is the star player with Mourvedre and Syrah coming typically second. Others used include Cinsault, Counoise and occasionally Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Picquepoul Noir and Terret Noir.
Only about 6-7% of wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is white wine. Blends and single-varietal bottlings are typically based on the soft and floral Grenache Blanc but Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne are grown with some significance.
The wine of Chateauneuf-du-Pape takes its name from the relocation of the papal court to Avignon. The lore says that after moving in 1309, Pope Clément V (after whom Chateau Pape-Clément in Pessac-Léognan is named) ordered that vines were planted. But it was actually his successor, John XXII, who established the vineyards. The name however, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, translated as "the pope's new castle," didn’t really stick until the 19th century.