Château La Nerthe is in among the Southern Rhone’s oldest estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The estate was acquired by the Tulle de Villefranche family in 1560. Afterwards, the historic Château was built in 1736.

In 1985, it was purchased by the Richard family in partnership with David and Foillard negociants. In their pursuit of excellence, many of the vineyards were replanted and the estate was renovated. In 1991, Château La Nerthe expanded their property with the purchase of 54 acres of vineyards. They remain one of the largest estates in the Southern Rhône with 230 acres. The vineyards were certified organic in 1998.

The vineyard’s 227 acres are divided into 57 plots with 13 different grape varieties. Each plot has its own personality due to the unique combination of soils and grape varieties.

This wine is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre sourced from vineyards that are are over 40 years old. The wine is aged in concrete tanks for 9 months before bottling. The delicate ruby appearance opens to a medium bodied wine with soft aromas of sweet violets. Delicate woodland strawberries fill in the mid-palate with chai spices, garrigue and silky, ripe tannins. The acidity and ripe red fruit is well integrated into a balanced finish.

By W Peter Hoyne