Château La Nerthe : Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020

La Nerthe's 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape—a blend of 38% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre and 2% other varieties—offers up appealing notes of black cherries and dried spices. Matured in about 15% new oak, it's full-bodied and nicely balanced, not overly fat or overly tannic, just a nice, easy-drinking wine that delivers plenty of pleasure.

Gamy and earthy, with bright cassis and damson plum streaked with smoked meat, singed garrigue, violet and a note of tar. Boasts black tea tannins that hem in the round palate, with an iodine note and acidity providing balance. Shows sweet spices on the finish. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Drink now through 2030. 2,000 cases imported.

A lovely wine – so charming, fresh and compact, with great energy and freshness. The acidity really helps to balance the blackberry eau-de-vie fruit, which is potent but precise and powerful. A wine that has harmony and freshness, despite the high alcohol. Made with part-destemmed fruit and aged in 15% new oak.

A perfumed nose of spiced cherries, forest berries, dried thyme, cloves and a touch of leather. It’s full-bodied with creamy tannins and texture. Round, with a velvety touch and a rich core of raspberries at the center of the palate. Some spicy character to the juicy finish. Drink or hold.

A blend of 38% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre and other permitted varieties, the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape aged for one year in a combination of new and old oak barriques, foudre and tronconique tanks. It displays a fragrant perfume of blackberry, raspberry, wild strawberry, licorice, dried herbs, cloves and hints of mint. This is a full-bodied and concentrated red, neatly balanced by lively acidity and framed by velvety tannins, closing with a sapid finish.

Forward, medium-bodied, soft, elegant and already charming, the sweetness and purity along with lift and energy create the perfect backdrop for the plums, licorice, smoke, cherries and spice on the nose and palate. Drink from 2023-2033.

Strong crimson, purple reflections, broad ochre lightening on the rim. Delicate tobacco and savoury herbal underlay, cherry fruit, red wild berries, a touch of nougat. Juicy, freshly structured, seems proportionate, light on its feet with fine tannins, ripe cherries on the finish. Already accessible, shows certain ageing potential.

I loved the classic 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape from this great estate, which is based on 38% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre, and the rest a mix of varieties. It was partially destemmed and brought up in 15% new oak. Currants, darker cherries, earthy garrigue, and spicy notes all emerge on the nose, and it’s medium-bodied, balanced, and shines for its purity of fruit. It’s beautifully done and well worth following over the coming 10-12 years.

All subtlety and finesse, a remarkable vintage from la Nerthe, with a delicate texture, finely tuned balance and outstanding length. Far from showy, yet unmistakably of great pedigree.