Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Cuvée Girard' 2018

Red wine. Southern Rhône, France. Biodynamic. 90% Grenache, 4% Mourvèdre, 4% Syrah, 2% Cinsault, 2% Counoise. "The 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Girard hadn't been blended when I visited the estate last year, so this bottled sample was my first look at the cuvée for the American importer. It closely mirrors the regular bottling, but typically includes a bit more old-vine Grenache. The nose is similar, offering up hints of dried spices, earth and black cherries, but the feel on the full-bodied palate is richer and more enveloping, with a creamy-velvety texture that flows seamlessly onto the long, plush finish." — 93+ Points, Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (Sep. 2020)