Château La Nerthe is one of the oldest estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and dates from 1560. Château La Nerthe has 227 acres of vineyards that surround the château and top the renowned La Crau plateau. The terroir is typical of the region. Vineyards run along a slope and grow in sandy-clay soils. The ground is covered by a layer of ‘galets’ - large, round, well-worn stones that were carried down from the Alps by glaciers during the last ice age. All the 13 permitted primary varietals are planted here. Grenache dominates 62% of the vineyards and the average vine age is over 40 years old. The grapes are hand harvested and sorted on tables. The grapes are then put into vats for almost 4 weeks with regular pump overs and punch downs. The must is tasted every day during fermentation to ensure the best extraction of the berry compounds. At the end, the wines are racked into oak vats for malolactic fermentation. The cuvée is then aged in large French oak casks and barrels for 12 months before blending. Bottling takes place 6 months later.

93 Points
VinousMedia.com
2020 vintage
92 Points
Ken's Wine Guide.com
2020 vintage
Harvest Note
The 2020 year began with low rainfalls that were enough to allow the soils to build up a water reserve to cope with a summer heat wave that was fortunately less intense than the previous vintage. Rain at the end of August into September slowed down the maturity of the grapes. Harvest began in late August. Free from vine diseases, grapes were generous and quantity was higher than the previous vintage on all plots.
Tasting Note
Red garnet with purple tints. This silky, round wine offers notes of cherry, plum, licorice, and menthol. The tannins are supple, and the finish is long. A wine with cellaring potential of a decade or more.
Food Pairing
Steak, lamb, grilled duck.
Technical Data
GRAPES: Syrah (38%), Grenache (35%), Mourvédre (25%), Cinsault (1%), Others (1%)
APPELLATION: Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
PH: 3.7
ACIDITY: 4.33 g/l
ABV: 15%
AGING: 12 months in French oak casks and barrels.
Unique Selling Points
  • One of the oldest estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape - dates from 1560.
  • Estate grown, hand harvested, estate bottled.
  • Average vine age is 40+ years.
  • Certified AB Organic.

About the Grape

Cinsaut
Ripe and meaty over elegant, with rose and almond notes, Cinsault’s relatively low tannins typically relegate it to blends with other varieties, as with Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Tavel Rosé.
Grenache
Grenache is loaded with dense, lusty aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackcurrant, jam, pepper and licorice, with a palate-coating texture and high alcohol.
Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre makes big, meaty, rustic wines high in alcohol, acidity and tannin, with moderate black fruit characters. Shows aromas and flavors of wild Provençal herbs, leather, mushrooms and barnyard.
Syrah
Syrah has seductively dense, rich, chewy black berry aromas and flavors, with notes of tar, wood smoke, bacon, leather, chocolate, and sometimes violets. The tannins are firm yet elegant.
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