Domaine Raymond Usseglio 'Cuvée Girard' Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2023

Raymond Usseglio’s Cuvée Girard is Châteauneuf-du-Pape with generosity, polish, and restraint. Built from 80-year-old vines and aged primarily in concrete, it shows ripe red and black fruit, violets, blood orange, white pepper, licorice, and dried Provençal herbs without feeling heavy or overworked.

Quick Facts

• Producer: Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils
• Wine: Cuvée Girard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
• Vintage: 2023
• Region: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, France
• Blend: 90% Grenache, 6% Mourvèdre, 4% other varieties

Tasting Profile

Medium to full-bodied, smooth, and aromatic. The nose brings raspberry, dark cherry, blackberry, violets, blood orange, white and black pepper, licorice, and dried herbs. The palate is generous but balanced, with ripe tannins, clean fruit, and a refined finish with real length.

Why We Love It

This is a classic example of Southern Rhône at its best, earning its place through balance rather than size. The old vines give concentration, while concrete aging keeps the fruit clear and fresh. It is a strong bottle for anyone who loves Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but also for guests who want a Rhône red with warmth and depth that still feels elegant.

Winemaking

Cuvée Girard is made from old vines averaging 80 years of age. The 2023 is partially destemmed and aged for 18 months primarily in concrete, with small portions in demi-muids and barrels. That concrete aging is important: it preserves fruit clarity and texture without adding a heavy oak signature.

Serving & Pairing

Serve around cellar temperature, with a little air if opening now. Pair with lamb, braised beef, roast pork, duck, grilled sausages, ratatouille, mushrooms, or anything built around rosemary, thyme, garlic, and olive oil.

Drinking Window

Enjoy now with air, or cellar through the next decade. Vinous notes a 2027–2037 drinking window, so this is also a smart bottle to lay down.

Estate Overview

Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils is one of the respected names in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, now led by Stéphane Usseglio. The family works with excellent old-vine holdings, including parcels in La Crau and on the hillside across from the ruins of the Pope’s castle. Cuvée Girard is bottled exclusively for Weygandt-Metzler, the estate’s U.S. importer, with roughly 500 cases produced.