Château La Nerthe : Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Château La Nerthe

Tasting

Colour
This wine displays a beautiful, brilliant garnet-red colour, enhanced by delicate violet highlights.

Nose
Charming and remarkably pure, the nose exudes aromas of red and black fruit (ripe cherry, strawberry, plum), intertwined with subtle floral notes reminiscent of rose petals. With aeration, herbaceous hints of garrigue emerge, along with nuances of cocoa, vanilla and light leather.

Palate
Medium- to full-bodied, the palate seduces with its supple, silky and fleshy texture. Carried by exceptionally fine tannins, it offers a perfect balance between generosity and freshness, extending into a long finish with minty, peppery and chocolatey accents.

Food and wine pairings

This red wine pairs beautifully with rare red meats such as beef or lamb, traditional Provençal dishes scented with herbs, or slow-cooked fare served with refined sauces.

Serving and cellaring

Approachable in its youth thanks to its silky texture, this 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape also has a fine structure that will allow it to develop in the cellar and be enjoyed until around 2032.

The elegance and complexity of a red Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The estate

Founded in 1590 with the acquisition of the Grange de Beauvenir, Château La Nerthe is a historic, must-know estate in the Rhône Valley. The only true architectural château in its appellation, the property has distinguished itself through its pioneering spirit, from early bottling in the 18th century to the full conversion of its vineyard to organic farming in 1998. Now run by the Richard family, owners since 1985, this estate of around 90 hectares produces wines renowned worldwide for their finesse and their ability to express the full complexity of their terroir.

The vineyard

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard from which this wine comes covers nearly 90 hectares spread across 57 plots. It rests on a mosaic of typical soils combining rolled pebbles, sand and clay. The estate notably includes the renowned La Crau sector, home to very old vines planted in the late 19th century. All of this land is rigorously farmed according to organic principles, encouraging controlled yields and an authentic expression of this exceptional environment.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage stands out for its cooler weather conditions compared with previous years. These particular conditions helped to avoid excessive overripeness, encouraging slow, balanced ripening of the berries. The result was a healthy harvest, offering lovely natural acidity, great purity of fruit and remarkable freshness.

Vinification and ageing

This 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is made from certified organic grapes. Vinification is carried out protectively to preserve the brightness of the fruit, with gentle extraction designed to achieve silky tannins. The wine is partly aged in oak barrels, with a moderate proportion of new wood, adding complexity and subtle spicy notes without masking the original identity of the berries.

Grape varieties

Grenache (39%), Mourvèdre (33%), Syrah (25%), Cinsault (3%).