Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2024
Trade Tools
France / Rhône
Château La Nerthe has 220 acres of vineyards that surround the château. The grapes grow in loamy, sandy soils near a wood with one of the few natural springs of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, creating a microclimate that is warm during the day but cool at night. Grapes are hand-harvested early in the morning to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and then pressed in a pneumatic press for 3 hours and racked after 24 hours to begin low-temperature fermentation. Roussanne and Grenache are fermented in French oak barrels and demi-muids, and Clairette and Bourboulenc are fermented in demi-muids and stainless steel tanks. The wine ages on fine lees for almost 9 months.
94 Points
jamessuckling.com
2024 vintage
Harvest Note
The 2024 vintage was marked by significant rainfall throughout the spring, leading to strong mildew pressure particularly for Grenache. Fortunately, the diversity of grape varieties combined with beneficial warm and dry conditions during the maturing period enabled La Nerthe to obtain grapes that resulted in fresh and balanced white wines.
Tasting Note
Pale gold with green tints. This elegant and balanced white wine offers notes of citrus, pear, lemon blossom, and toasted hazelnut. The finish is long and persistent.
Technical Data
GRAPES: Roussanne (51%), Grenache Blanc (26%), Clairette (14%), Bourboulenc (9%)
APPELLATION: Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
PH: 3.55
ACIDITY: 2.79
ABV: 14%
AGING: Aged on the lees for 9 months in a combination of French oak barrels, demi-muids, and stainless steel tanks
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION: No
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
- Vineyards are certified AB Organic
One of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s oldest estates, archives affirm Château La Nerthe’s existence as early as 1560 and suggest an even more distant past dating to the dawn of the region’s wine culture in the 12th century.
Rémi Jean, Managing Director & Winemaker
About the Grape
Bourboulenc
A late-ripening variety, Bourboulenc can be lean and neutral, but when picked at optimal ripeness, it has high natural acidity and shows fresh citrus and floral characters.
Clairette
Vinified carefully, Clairette produces a light, floral and fruity wine. Used in sparkling wine and in blends, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Tavel Rosé, Côtes-du-Rhône and Lirac.
Grenache Blanc
This grape can produce an attractive, fleshy, generously fruity wine with a fragrance of flowers and dill.
Roussanne
Roussanne is an elegant, complex wine of finesse, good acidity and balance. Has aromas and flavors of melon, white fruits, pears, tree blossoms and herbs. Shows honey and coffee notes with age.
