2022 Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape Les Apotres

"The fifth iteration of this cuvée, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Apotres features a co-fermentation of the 13 authorized varieties that undergo a lengthy 120-day maceration. It reveals a dense, vibrant bouquet of cassis, mulberries, dark cherries, licorice, lead pencil, tapenade, garrigue and spices. Full-bodied, dense and rich with an enveloping texture, it's seamless and perfectly balanced with a sappy, fleshy core of fruit that segues into a dense, long and endless finish, establishing its preeminence among the domaine’s offerings. This is a cuvée that invariably benefits from extended cellaring." Drink 2034 - 2054

“The pinnacle of the winery’s offerings is the Apôtres, which has been produced only in select years. The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Apôtres is a stunner. This is only the fourth time Stéphane Usseglio made this cuvée, a co-fermentation of 13 different grapes with amphora-aging. Three months of skin contact post fermentation resulted in concentrated red and black fruits, crushed violets, licorice and pencil shaving traces. The 2022 Apôtres stands out for its concentration and complexity, balanced by exceptional tension. Despite all the substance, the 2022 is surprisingly agile and bursts with energy and freshness. A savory and elongated finish rounds it all up. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink 2026-2042”

“As refined as it is deep, this is a remarkable expression of Chateauneuf in which the ample tannins are enveloped in a wealth of red fruit and spices. The super-long, velvety finish pulls you inexorably back for more. Limited production. A cuvee of all 13 grape varieties allowed in this appellation from biodynamically grown grapes. Macerated on the skins in amphorae for two months and bottled unfiltered. Drink or hold."