CASE PRICE = $36.99 per bottle (add 12+ quantity to your basket)
About This Wine:Archives affirm Château La Nerthe’s existence as early as 1560, while suggesting an even more distant past dating to the dawn of the region’s wine culture in the 12th century. The wine of Château La Nerthe has been renowned since the 18th century. During the same era, its reputation spread across Europe with exports to England, Germany, Italy and Spain. Since then, Château La Nerthe has been a point of reference in the history of the vineyards and wines of France.
The 90 hectares (225 acres) of Château La Nerthe are certified “Organic growing” since 1998 by Ecocert (French organism on organic certification) The current terroir is thus composed of rocky slopes of clay and sand, rising above the Rhône river. While it is difficult to grow wine in such soils, the rocks do help ripen the berries since they store heat during the day and warm the vines at night. They also allow water to penetrate into the soil, reducing stagnation and disease.
BLENDING
Roussanne 39 %
Grenache 27 %
Clairette 19 %
Bourboulenc 15 %
AGING
38 % in oak barrels
62 % in stainless vat
VINES’ AGE
40 years (average)
What Does It Taste Like?
A pale yellow with bright and silvers tints. With a refreshing smell,
we can feel a bouquet of white flowers and Grany smith apple’s.The
palate is mineral with liquoriced touch and saltiness. A wine with a long
elegant finish.
Ratings & Reviews
92 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine:"Very
bright and pure, with a stony beam that drives the quince, green and
yellow apple, honeysuckle and heather notes. The long finish has
mouthwatering minerality. Drink now through 2011. 1,666 cases made." –JM (4/30/2009)
90 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:"The 2007 La Nerthe Blanc (14% Grenache blanc, 5% Bourboulenc, 42% Roussanne, and the rest Clairette) is a full-bodied, dry white with notes of spring flowers, honeysuckle, and an almost exotic tropical fruit character, no doubt from the Roussanne. It should drink nicely for 3-4 years.
Manager Alain Dugas, who has done such a superb job at La Nerthe since 1998, told me that they decided not to produce a Cuvee des Cadettes in 2007 because several of their old vine Mourvedre parcels were adversely affected by the year’s drought. Perhaps that is to their benefit, as the single cuvee that will be offered is a superb one. While La Nerthe has always made one of the best white wines of the appellation, it is worth noting that the very tiny production of white Chateauneuf du Pape continues to show encouraging progress almost across the board, as non-malolactic and cold fermentation techniques seem to be producing much more fruit and character in the wines." -Robert Parker (10/2008)
90 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:"($50; 42% roussanne, 41% grenache blanc, 12% clairette and 5% bourboulenc) Light yellow-gold. A complex, seductive bouquet displays lemon zest, tangerine, pungent herbs and minerals, with a floral undertone. Very fresh on the palate, with zesty, finely etched citrus and mineral flavors and a late note of licorice. Surprisingly light and brisk for a blend with so much roussanne, boasting excellent finishing clarity, minerality and cut."
92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate ('08 vintage):"With respect to La Nerthe’s white wines, in 2008 none of the special cuvee called Clos de Beauvenir was produced, so the regular bottling of 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is a beauty (this vintage for white wines is stronger than it was for reds). This blend of 39% Roussanne, 27% Grenache Blanc, and the rest Bourboulenc and Clairette exhibits a delectable bouquet of pears, spring flowers, honeysuckle, and melons. With crisp acids, medium to full body, and terrific aromatics, it should provide plenty of pleasure over the next 2-3 years or longer.
This great estate has proven to be one of the few contrarians in both 2007 and 2008. Why? With the proliferation of special cuvees in the great vintage of 2007, La Nerthe was the outlier, not producing their famed Cuvee des Cadettes. However, in 2008, an average quality vintage in which most Chateauneuf du Pape estates did not produce a special cuvee, La Nerthe made a Cuvee des Cadettes. They have also introduced a second wine called Les Granieres." -Robert Parker (10/2009)
