Château La Nerthe : Les Granières 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of Château La Nerthe's "Les Granières" 2023

Tasting

Appearance
This wine reveals a deep ruby robe, enhanced by delicate purplish highlights.

Nose
Particularly expressive, the bouquet opens on Mediterranean accents evoking garrigue, thyme and rosemary. It then unveils generous aromas of ripe red and black fruits such as blackberry, blackcurrant, raspberry and black cherry, all underlined by notes of liquorice, a hint of white pepper and a subtle floral touch of violet.

Palate
The attack is supple, fluid and imbued with a beautiful freshness. The Grenache lends a deliciously generous dimension to the whole, supported by a fine, elegant and already well-integrated tannic structure. The lively acidity confers a vibrant energy to the wine, offering wonderful relief and stretching into a finish of remarkable length. A generous cuvée that shines through its refined elegance.

Food and wine pairings

This red wine will pair beautifully with Mediterranean-inspired dishes and flavourful meats. It will be the ideal companion to a roasted shoulder of lamb with Provençal herbs, a roasted duck breast with sweet spices, or a wild boar stew with olives. It will also enhance grilled aubergines, a tagine, fish in red sauce, as well as platters of aged cheeses such as a sheep's tomme, a young Comté or goat's cheeses.

The expression of a refined Châteauneuf-du-Pape by Château La Nerthe

The estate

Established in 1560, Château La Nerthe is a true institution of the Rhône Valley. This vast 92-hectare estate stands out for its pioneering ecological approach, having been certified organic since 1998. Today, the Richard family, the current owners since 1985, perpetuate this centuries-old heritage by skilfully blending tradition and modernity. The property distinguishes itself through its exceptional terroir and the presence of a natural spring creating a unique microclimate. This historical and qualitative continuity makes this estate an essential and prestigious name within its appellation.

The vineyard

This wine comes from the historic Les Granières lieu-dit and is exclusively produced from plots planted with vines less than twenty years old. This emblematic Châteauneuf-du-Pape terroir rests on a mosaic of clay-limestone, sandy-clay and sandstone soils. The whole is covered by a thick layer of rolled pebbles. These limestone stones store the daytime heat and release it during the night, thus ensuring optimal ripening of the berries while preserving a lovely freshness.

The vintage

The year began with a mild and particularly dry winter, followed by very beneficial rainfall at the end of spring. The vines thus benefited from excellent development with very low mildew pressure. The hot and arid summer period caused moderate hydric stress. After a heatwave in mid-August, timely rainfall allowed the harvest to be completed serenely, offering exceptional grape quality and enabling a highly precise selection.

Winemaking and ageing

The harvest of the "Les Granières" 2023 cuvée is carried out manually at full phenolic maturity, followed by a meticulous sorting on table. Fermentation is initiated through indigenous yeasts, preceding a long maceration of three to four weeks under controlled temperatures. The extraction of aromas and colour is performed gently through punching down and pumping over. The wine is then aged for twelve months in large oak casks of two to five years and demi-muids, without any input of new barrels. Early bottling is preferred to preserve the brightness of the fruit and the elegance of the tannic structure.

Grape varieties

This wine is the result of a blend composed of 40% Grenache Noir, 30% Cinsault, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre.