Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2022
Trade Tools
France / Rhône
Château La Nerthe dates from 1560, making it one of the oldest estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Vineyards surround the château, planted with all 13 permitted varietals. Sandy-clay soils are 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. The average vine age is over 40 years old. Hand-harvested grapes are partially destemmed and put into vats for a long maceration of 4 weeks. Wine is aged with restraint for 12 months in a mix of foudre, truncated vats, and barrels before blending. Bottling takes place 6 months later.
Harvest Note
It was a challenging year due to different factors. A strong heat wave early in the spring arrived along with severe water deficit until August. A storm, or ‘tornado’, on August 14 brought hail and wind that caused considerable damage in almost all vineyards. However, the La Nerthe vines proved resilient, especially the Grenache grapes. Despite the intense heat of the vintage, the red wines turn out to be fleshy, refined and balanced.
Tasting Note
Vibrant and exuberant aromas with blackcurrant, blueberries, graphite and slightly smoky notes. The tannins are supple and silky, and a woodiness denotes a balanced and effortless yet racy wine. The mineral finish is long. A vintage with beautiful energy to be enjoyed in its youth or to keep for a decade more.
Technical Data
GRAPES: Grenache (40%), Syrah (35%), Mourvèdre (20%), Cinsault (5%)
APPELLATION: Châteauneuf du Pape AOC
PH: 3.74
ACIDITY: 4.74 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
- 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
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.
