Château La Nerthe is one of the oldest estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and extends over 220 acres around the castle. Cuvée des Cadettes is not a selection made in the cellar, but a wine crafted from a unique, 20 acre vineyard planted with 85 to 100 year old vines. The plots that make up this Cuvée are mainly based on sandy-clay soils which provide outstanding quality tannins. This Cuvée is co-fermentated, hand harvested and hand sorted. Alcoholic fermentation occurs directly after maceration, with wild yeast native to the vineyard. The intensity of pumping over and punching down is defined by tasting the fermenting juice to ensure the best extraction of the berry compounds. Maceration lasts 3 weeks and the wines are racked into concrete tanks for malolactic fermentation. The wine is then aged 12 months in 100% small French oak barrels and blending takes place shortly before bottling.

97 Points
Tasting Panel
2016 vintage
96 Points
Wine Enthusiast
2016 vintage
Harvest Note
Château La Nerthe experienced a perfect winter with mild temperatures. That turned into a perfect spring which benefited from rainfalls free of frost and plentiful water reserves. It was a very hot summer. The Southern Rhône Valley was among the luckiest regions that year, particularly protected throughout the year from harsh weather compared to other areas in France. This all led to a most exceptional vintage. Certainly their best vintage since the legendary 1990 vintage.
Tasting Note
This deep ruby, intense Grenache blend offers a very expressive nose full of black cherry, blackcurrant and sweet spice notes. On the palate, expect a fresh and well-balanced wine enhanced with graphite and boysenberries aromas. Perfectly matured tannins give the feeling of a long, full-bodied and elegant wine that can age for a number of years with a drinking window of 2018 - 2033.
Food Pairing
To enjoy with hearty red meat dishes like beef stew and along with lighter meats like duck fillet in a pepper sauce.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 52% Grenache Noir, 38% Syrah, 10% Mouvèdre
APPELLATION: Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOP
PH: 3.72
ACIDITY: 5.13 g/l
ABV: 15%
AGING: 12 months partly in large wooden casks and partly in new oak barrels
Unique Selling Points
  • Produced by one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s oldest and most storied estates
  • Certified AB Organic
  • Estate grown, hand harvested, estate bottled
  • Average vine age – 85+ years

About the Grape

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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