Les Clavelles Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2021
Trade Tools
France / Rhône
Les Clavelles is a single parcel of Grenache that sits atop Le Crau, the famed plateau of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This plot of loamy sands dotted with large pebbles was identified for its unique ability to express the terroir of Châteauneuf-du-Pape within a single varietal. With a gentle southwest-facing slope, these vines benefit from direct sunlight in the late afternoon and the famed Mistral winds from the North. The grapes are hand-picked and hand-sorted before whole clusters are fermented in a wooden tank. A long maceration lasts 3-4 weeks before aging for 12 months partly in foudres or large old oak casks and partly in old oak barrels.
Harvest Note
The 2021 vintage was a stressful year but ultimately resulted in a good classic vintage. A warm and dry winter was followed by a mild and wet spring. A strong frost hit France in early April but spared Château La Nerthe plots thanks to the Mistral wind and proximity of the Rhône River. A moderate summer with no water stress was followed by storms in September and October, and a long and stressful harvest. The result was a good vintage with good acidity, fruity aromas, and great aging potential.
Tasting Note
Brilliant ruby red, this powerful yet elegant wine offers notes of dark cherries, rose petals, sandalwood, cedar, and garrigue or Mediterranean herbs. The long and slightly minty finish showcases the elegant fruit character of this unique plot.
Technical Data
GRAPES: Grenache (100%)
APPELLATION: Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
PH: 3.79
ACIDITY: 3.98
ABV: 15%
AGING: 12 months in foudres - old French oak casks - and old French oak barrels
Unique Selling Points
- 100% Grenache from a single plot on the famed Le Crau plateau
- Hand harvested and hand sorted - estate grown and bottled
- Average vine age is 85+
- 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
