Château La Nerthe : Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2019

Characteristics and tasting advice for the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge from Château La Nerthe

Tasting

Colour
Beautiful dark garnet colour with violet reflections.

Nose
Rich and complex nose, dominated by aromas of black fruits (blackcurrant, cherries, olives) with peppery and floral touches, due to the high proportion of Syrah.

Palate
Ample and dense palate, marked by herbaceous accents of southern plants (bay leaf, thyme, liquorice). The ripe tannins add density in the mid-palate (notes of plum). Despite the heat of the vintage, the whole retains a feeling of freshness (menthol), with a beautiful depth and a long finish. A magnificent wine, capable of ageing two decades or more.

Service

For optimal tasting, it is recommended to serve this wine from the Rhône Valley at a temperature of 16 to 18°C.

Food and wine pairings

The 2019 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge from Château La Nerthe ideally accompanies a grilled rib of beef or a beef stew with anchovies.

A full-bodied and beautifully balanced Châteauneuf-du-Pape red wine

The property

A true symbol of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the Château La Nerthe is one of the oldest estates in the appellation. Indeed, their stories have been intertwined for five centuries, making Château La Nerthe a historical emblem of the region. Nestled in the heart of a green setting, in a sumptuous Provencal setting, the magnificent castle overlooks an exceptional architectural and viticultural heritage. With its cellars dating from the 16th century, its 92-hectare vineyard, its organic farming certification obtained in 1998, the estate embodies here the perfect balance between tradition and innovation. Since 1985, it is the Richard Family who imagines the wines of the estate and who continues to write fervently the history of Château La Nerthe, a heritage magnified by the overflowing ambition of these demanding and innovative actors.

The vineyard

Nestled in the heart of the Rhône Valley, Château La Nerthe watches over soils of rolled pebbles, sand and clay typical of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This terroir benefits from a Mediterranean microclimate and generous sunshine, ensuring the full maturity of the grapes.

The vintage

The almost perfect weather conditions, despite a very hot and dry summer with temperatures reaching nearly 40°C from the end of June, allowed for a harvest spread over three months, from August 28 to October 1. The high yields have given Châteauneuf-du-Pape red wines that are rich, massive and dense, with great aromatic intensity and a long finish, offering a beautiful ageing potential.

Vinification and ageing

The manually harvested berries are sorted on a table. A maceration of 21 to 28 days is carried out, accompanied by regular pumping over and punching down. Numerous tastings are carried out during the fermentation phase. Vinification and malolactic fermentation take place in wooden and stainless steel vats. An ageing of 12 months is carried out in different containers (vats and barrels). Once the blend is made, this Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine is bottled 6 months later.

Blend

Syrah (35%)
Grenache (33%)
Mourvèdre (31%)
Other grape varieties (1%).